Speaker
Description
In 2026, the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment is undergoing an upgrade to enable the search for keV sterile neutrinos. This upgrade also introduces new systematic uncertainties that must be addressed. The dominant systematic effect arises from electron backscattering at the end of the source, the so-called Rear Wall. This effect can be mitigated by replacing the gold-coated Rear Wall with an alternative material. Two promising candidates with low electron backscattering probability are beryllium and microstructured silicon.
To qualify as a suitable Rear Wall material, several requirements must be met: low tritium accumulation, efficient UV-ozone decontamination, and resistance to this treatment.
This poster presents qualification measurements of a new Rear Wall material performed at the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe (TLK). Surface activity after contamination and subsequent decontamination is measured using beta-induced X-ray spectrometry (BIXS). To assess the resistance to UV-ozone treatment, Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) is employed to investigate possible oxide layer growth and surface charge-up effects.
| Collaboration or Other Affiliation | KATRIN |
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