Ultra-trace analysis of U and Th in organic liquid scintillators with high sensitivity
Abstract
Rare event searches demand extremely low background levels, necessitating ever-advancing screening techniques to enhance sensitivity. Liquid scintillators are highly attractive as detector media due to their inherent radiopurity and scalability in mass. In this work, we present a screening procedure to measure ultra-trace concentrations of natural contaminants -- 238U and 232Th -- with sensitivities at the E-15g/g level. Our method combines neutron activation analysis with radiochemical techniques, followed by \ coincidence spectroscopy to minimize interference backgrounds. This approach achieves sensitivities of 0.65E-15g/g for 238U and 2.3E-15g/g for 232Th, among the best reported worldwide. Potential pathways for further sensitivity improvements are outlined in the conclusions.
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