Erlangen 2026 – scientific programme
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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik
T 11: Gaseous Detectors I
T 11.8: Talk
Monday, March 16, 2026, 18:00–18:15, KH 01.014
Amplification properties of gaseous tetramethylsilane (TMS) for antineutrino-based nuclear safeguards — •Adhitya Sekhar1, Nick Thamm2, Sarah Friedrich1, Robin Mentel1, Stefan Roth2, and Yan-Jie Schnellbach1 — 1Technische Universität Darmstadt — 2RWTH Aachen University
In recent years there has been growing interest in antineutrino-based nuclear safeguards for monitoring reactor operation and spent fuel containment through the low-MeV antineutrinos emitted in beta-decay of fission fragments. Following previous promising simulations, a prototype for a novel antineutrino detection concept utilising a liquid organic time projection chamber (LOr-TPC) is now being developed. This study presents the initial phase of this project, showcasing investigations into the amplification properties of gaseous tetramethylsilane (TMS).
NMR-grade liquid TMS was boiled and flushed through an experimental chamber using a simple gas circulation system, with the exhaust gas condensed and recollected for future repurification efforts. A first test was conducted using a single-wire proportional counter in a ∼ 5mL cylindrical chamber and a 55Fe source, with current amplification of up to three orders of magnitude observed at just under 4kV. Subsequently, a second test is being planned using a Thick Gaseous Electron Multiplier (THGEM). The results of these tests will be shown, along with comparisons made to previous measurements of amplification in other standard gases using the same setup.
Keywords: Antineutrinos; Nuclear safeguards; Tetramethylsilane; Proportional counter; THGEM