Energy resolution and gamma/neutron discrimination in xenon-doped liquid argon

Liquid argon scintillation detectors offer the possibility for large volumes, good pulse-shape discrimination between particles with different ionization densities, and energy resolution comparable with standard inorganic scintillators. Their fast timing and radiation-damage insensitivity also makes it possible to use them in high-count-rate environments. This study investigates the effect of doping liquid argon with small amounts of xenon, which is known to increase light yield and decrease the slow component decay time. These effects were observed. Energy resolution changed little with dopant concentration. Gamma/neutron pulse-shape discrimination, contrary to a previous study, degraded with each addition of xenon.