94240744 Lanou The proposed research consists of a series of experiments to study the use of superfluid helium as a detector of both non- ionizing and ionizing radiation. The goal of the research is the development of the technology for a new type of particle detector useful for several important experiments in neutrino physics and astrophysics. This superfluid helium-based detector would have the ability to measure the energy and location of a particle event as well as, possibly track direction. Such a detector would be unique in being able to detect 20 keV particles in a 10 ton mass of liquid helium. Superfluid helium is well suited as a target material for detecting low-energy particles in a very large mass. It is extremely pure, it is inexpensive, and it can be easily handled in bulk. Specialized equipment already constructed to investigate the use of helium as particle detector will be employed in the proposed research. Only minor modifications to an existing cryogenic system and modest additions to the electronics are required. Work on improving cryogenic bolometers is to be performed in conjunction with groups in Munich and Heidelberg who are interested in the same technical problems but have different research goals. The group at Brown carrying out these experiments is an unique collaboration among particle, condensed matter, and low temperature experimentalists. The proposed experimental program, if successful, will provide the technology to make possible frontier experiments in neutrino and astrophysics. ***
