PAFF, a low-energy, low-flux proton accelerator for detector tests

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 582; no. 2; pp. 395 - 400
• Main Authors: Müller, A.R., Hartmann, F.J., Paul, S., Petzoldt, G., Picker, R., Simson, M., Wirth, H.-F., Zimmer, O., Carli, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 21.11.2007
• Subjects: Neutron decay; Proton accelerator; Proton detectors; 23.40.−s; Neutron decay; 29.25.Ni; Proton accelerator; 07.77. + p; Proton detectors
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2007.09.004

We describe a proton accelerator with adjustable low energy and low flux ( PAFF , Proton Accelerator for Femtoampere Flux), constructed for calibration and tests of proton detectors for neutron-decay experiments. The facility produces a stable proton beam with energies between 10 and 35 keV and currents between a few tens of protons per second and nA at the detector test area. It is employed to test counters for experiments on the neutron decay. In the set-up these detectors may be cooled down to temperatures around 10 K. An electron gun will be installed to produce parallel beams of protons and electrons for a future production of neutral hydrogen atoms of some tens of keV.