Development of high refractive index Cherenkov detectors

High refractive index materials have been investigated for use as Cherenkov media in order to develop a Cherenkov detector with a lower energy threshold. Several materials were surveyed and cubic zirconium was selected for further study. Samples of cubic zirconium were prepared and mated with photomultiplier tubes to form Cherenkov detectors. These detectors were tested using radioactive sources and muons in the laboratory and using protons at the Indiana Cyclotron in order to determine the Cherenkov light yield and to investigate contamination of the Cherenkov signal by scintillation. The results of the experimental tests were analyzed and compared to detailed numerical simulations. It was found that while some scintillation light was produced by ionizing particles in the cubic zirconium, Cherenkov light was detected at levels that make cubic zirconium usable as a Cherenkov detector. During this investigation, it was discovered that while the Cherenkov light signal was prompt with a rapid decay time, the scintillation light signal was slower both in rise time and in decay. This discovery offers the possibility to distinguish the Cherenkov and Scintillation signals.