A wire source deployment system for calibration of the double chooz near detector
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Abstract
The reactor neutrino experiment, Double Chooz (DC), observes the electron antineutrino flux from two nuclear reactors located in Chooz, France. Its primary purpose is to measure the neutrino oscillation parameter sin2 2θ13 via inverse beta decay within two functionally identical detectors which utilise a gadolinium doped liquid scintillator active target region. This thesis presents a complete description of the design, construction and installation of the DC near detector radioactive source deployment guide tube (GT) system. During the installation process a photographic and theodolite survey were conducted to determine the precise location of the GT within the detector. Data from both surveys were analysed and compared to obtain a set of coordinates useful for calibration purposes. Post installation, a system verification test was performed to determine the function of the GT. After the first year of successful physics data acquisition using the near detector a calibration campaign was conducted. It was the first time both detectors were calibrated using the GT system. One of several main calibration systems, the GT provides the required accuracy to aid oscillation analyses through the precise knowledge of the energy response and neutron detection efficiency within both detectors. This aids in the minimisation of systematic uncertainties between both detectors.