Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Environmental γ-ray flux in Hall C at LNGS and its correlation with radon activity

    L. Luzzi1,*,‡, R. Santorelli1,†, G. Zuzel2, P. Agnes3, D. Cano-Ott1, C. Ghiano4, M. Laubenstein4, T. Mroz2,§, V. Pesudo Fortes1 et al.

    J. Plaza del Olmo1 and G. Vera Díaz1

    • *Contact author: lluzzi@ucdavis.edu
    • †Contact author: roberto.santorelli@ciemat.es
    • ‡Present address: Department of Physics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
    • §Present address: Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342 Krakow, Poland.

    Phys. Rev. D 114, 032004 – Published 10 August, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/rm39-mmyk

    Abstract

    We report a comprehensive measurement of the environmental γ-ray flux in Hall C of the Gran Sasso National Laboratory. A spatial mapping of the radiation was carried out using a high-purity germanium detector mounted on a movable cart and deployed at eight locations within the hall. The detector response function and full-energy-peak efficiencies were determined through Geant4 simulations validated with calibrated γ-ray sources, with particular attention devoted to the efficiency modeling and associated systematic uncertainties. In the energy range of 57–2800 keV, the average γ-ray flux is measured to be (0.46±0.06stat±0.03syst) cm−2 s−1. The radon level was monitored for about a month using a radon detector mounted on the same cart, and a clear correlation is observed between the environmental γ-ray rate and the ambient radon concentration, consistent with the short-lived daughters of Rn222. This result represents the first high-precision and efficiency-corrected mapping of the γ-ray flux in Hall C, substantially improving its radiological characterization and providing key input for future rare-event experiments operating in this hall.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation