Performance of the SoLid Reactor Neutrino Detector

Abstract

The SoLid collaboration is currently operating a 1.6 tons neutrino detector near the Belgian BR2 reactor, with main goal the observation of the oscillation of electron antineutrinos to previously undetected flavor states. The highly segmented SoLid detector employs a compound scintillation technology based on PVT scintillator in combination with a $^{6}$LiF:ZnS(Ag) screens containing $^{6}$Li isotopes. The experiment has demonstrated a channel-to-channel response that can be controlled to the level of a few percent, and energy resolution of better than 14\% at 1 MeV, and a determination of the interaction vertex with a precision of 5 cm. In this contribution we will highlight the major outcomes of the R\&D program that preceded the construction of the full-scale detector, the quality control during component manufacture and integration, as well as the current performance and stability of the full-scale system. The possibilities for in-situ calibration of the detector with various radioactive sources will be discussed as well.