XXth International Conference on Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics
C.Buck for the LENS Collaboration
The LENS Project
LENS (Low Energy Neutrino Spectroscopy) is a project for a real time,
energy resolved, flavor specific, sub-MeV solar neutrino experiment.
The detection principle is based on beta-minus inverse capture on a
target nucleus to an isomeric state, followed by a delayed gamma
cascade from deexcitation of the latter. The prompt signal (e-)
carries the information on the neutrino energy, while the delayed
coincidence tags the event as "neutrino candidate" and assures great
rejection power against backgrounds. Such technique allows to measure
the pure electronic component of the solar neutrino flux, down to the
energy set by the threshold for the neutrino capture. The target
isotopes will be loaded in an organic liquid scintillator and the
detector will have a modular design. Many target candidates have been
extensively investigated, and now the collaboration is focusing on
115In (threshold 118keV). We will describe in detail the detector's
design and challenges for this particular target.