TESTS OF SOME PROTOTYPE INDIUM-LOADED SCINTILLATORS FOR SOLAR NEUTRINO DETECTION

Results are reported on the measurement of the light output, attenuation length, and energy resolution of samples of indium-loaded liquid scintillator. Similar measurements were carried out on prototype detectors consisting of strips of plastic scintillator sandwiched between thin indium foils. We conclude that an experiment based on these prototypes to detect the neutrinos from proton-proton fusion in the Sun is not feasible, but that an experiment to detect the 7Be solar neutrinos appears feasible provided that improvements in the light output and absorption length can be made. The light output of the 5% indium-loaded liquid scintillator tested is adequate provided the absorption length can be increased by a factor of 3. © 1990.