HENSA-NESTA

HENSA and NESTA

Unveiling HENSA and NESTA: Powerful Tools for Precision Neutron Detection

HENSA: High-Efficiency Neutron Hunter

HENSA, the High Efficiency Neutron Spectrometry Array, is a cutting-edge detector system born from a collaborative effort of eight leading research institutions. This innovative technology offers exceptional energy resolution, ranging from meV to GeV, making it ideal for studies in low-radioactivity environments like underground laboratories and cosmic-ray investigations.

Understanding the Neutron Challenge

Ever-present neutrons, hailing from cosmic rays and natural radioactivity, bombard our world. This constant barrage forms a background radiation that poses a three-fold challenge:

• Scientific Interference: Neutrons can disrupt sensitive experiments, hindering our quest for knowledge in fields like astrophysics and dark matter research.
• Microelectronic Threats: In delicate electronic devices, neutron interactions can induce errors, potentially leading to malfunctions.
• Environmental Radiation: Neutrons contribute to the natural radiation dose we receive, and understanding their presence is crucial for environmental safety assessments.

HENSA's strength lies in its ability to precisely measure this neutron flux. By dissecting this radiation, researchers can not only identify its sources but also assess their impact on various scientific endeavors and technological applications.

Diverse Applications of HENSA

• Environmental Monitoring: HENSA safeguards public health by assessing radioactivity levels in the surrounding environment.
• Cosmic Ray Studies: It unveils the secrets of cosmic rays and space weather events, improving our understanding of their influence on Earth.
• Microelectronics Protection: HENSA helps identify and mitigate potential threats from neutron-induced errors in electronic devices, ensuring their reliability.
• Underground Research: By effectively characterizing the neutron background in underground facilities, HENSA empowers sensitive experiments in neutrino, dark matter, and nuclear astrophysics, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries.

Neutron Spectrometry Array located at the tunnel of LSC (Canfranc, Huesca)

HENSA's Superiority: Beyond Detection

Unlike traditional detectors, HENSA offers both high-efficiency neutron detection and detailed energy information. This enhanced sensitivity translates to several crucial advantages:

• Improved Background Characterization: HENSA precisely dissects the neutron background in underground labs, allowing researchers quantify the effect of neutrons produced by surrounding materials in their low-background experiments.
• Enhanced Experiment Precision: HENSA's superior resolution minimizes background noise, leading to more accurate and reliable results in sensitive experiments searching for rare phenomena like neutrinos and dark matter.

HENSA in Action: Mapping the Neutron Landscape

The first HENSA campaigns have yielded valuable data. They successfully measured neutron fields within the LSC underground laboratory and mapped cosmic-ray neutron flux across various locations in Spain. This information provides crucial insights into the impact of neutrons on different experiments and geographical regions.

Neutron Spectrometry Array at Astun, Huesca (2100 m)

Neutron Spectrometry Array at ETSEIB, Barcelona (120 m)

Neutron Spectrometry Array at LSC facilities (Canfranc, Huesca)

NESTA: HENSA's Agile Sibling

NESTA, the Nested Neutron Spectrometry Array, is a portable version of HENSA designed for the fast-paced environment of accelerator facilities. Optimized for the n_TOF facility at CERN, NESTA inherits several key features from HENSA:

• High-Energy Sensitivity: NESTA boasts a broad energy range similar to HENSA, ensuring comprehensive neutron detection.
• Modular Design: Its flexible configuration allows for easy adaptation to diverse experimental needs, maximizing its utility.
• Pulsed Neutron Expertise: NESTA effectively tackles the challenge of characterizing pulsed neutron backgrounds commonly encountered in accelerator facilities.

NESTA, high-density polyethylene matrix for n_TOF-CERN

The Future of Neutron Detection

HENSA and NESTA represent a significant leap forward in neutron detection technology. Their ability to provide detailed spectral information and operate in various environments makes them invaluable tools for researchers across a wide range of scientific disciplines. These powerful tools are poised to revolutionize our understanding of neutrons and their influence on our world, opening doors to groundbreaking discoveries in the years to come.