Low Energy Neutrino Studies with a Compact Water-based Liquid Scintillator Detector

The Reactor Neutrino Experiments of Turkey (RNET) program is planning to deploy a small portable Water-based Liquid Scintillator Detector (WbLS) in the near future to detect low energy neutrinos from the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey, planned to begin its operation in 2023. This small detector weights about 2-3 tons and will be deployed 50-100 meters from the reactor core. The RNET program is aimed to be expanded with a medium-size, 30-ton WbLS detector, which will be placed 1-2 km away from the reactor cores and could be used as a far detector. Both detectors and their response to neutrino interactions were simulated using a GEANT4-based RAT-PAC simulation package. Here, we will present the technical and physical details of both detectors, and discuss the ongoing R&D effort for neutrino studies in Turkey.

Note: This study was supported by Erciyes University BAP, DOSAP with the project code of “FDS-2021-10856”