• Giganon, A.
• Altenmüller, K.
• Obis, L.
• Ruz, J.
• Galindo, J.
• Margalejo, C.
• Irastorza, I. G.
• Luzón, G.
• Díez-Ibañez, D.
• Pérez, O.
• Cebrián, S.
• Goblin, C.
• Papaevangelou, T.
• Mirallas, H.
• Galan, J.
• Ezquerro, A.
• Navick, X. F.
• Castel, J. F.
• Vogel, J. K.
• Loiseau, C.
• Dafni, T.
• Solórzano, A. Ortiz De
• Quintana, A.
• García, J. A.
• Ferrer-Ribas, E.

Abstract

<jats:p>In this paper we present measurements performed with a Micromegas X-ray detector setup. The detector is a prototype in the context of the BabyIAXO helioscope, which is under construction to search for an emission of the hypothetical axion particle from the Sun. An important component of such a helioscope is a low background X-ray detector with a high efficiency in the 1–10 keV energy range. The goal of the measurement was to study techniques for background discrimination. In addition to common techniques we used a multi-layer veto system designed to tag cosmic-ray induced neutron background. Over an effective time of 52 days, a background level of 8.6 × 10<jats:sup>−7</jats:sup> counts keV<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> cm<jats:sup>−2</jats:sup> s<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> was reached in a laboratory at above ground level. This is the lowest background level achieved at surface level. In this paper we present the experimental setup, show simulations of the neutron-induced background, and demonstrate the process to identify background signals in the data. Finally, prospects to reach lower background levels down to 10<jats:sup>–7</jats:sup> counts keV<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> cm<jats:sup>−2</jats:sup> s<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> are discussed.</jats:p>

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• surface
• simulation