Loading...
An investigation into gold as a potential for neutrino detection
Ornelas, Esai Hartsock, Brooks Porcaro, Wren
Ornelas, Esai
Hartsock, Brooks
Porcaro, Wren
Citations
Altmetric:
Other Names
Location
Time Period
Advisors
Original Date
Digitization Date
Issue Date
2026
Type
Abstract
Poster
Poster
Genre
Keywords
Subjects (LCSH)
Citation
Ornelas, E., Hartsock, B., Porcaro, W., & Solomey, N. C. An investigation into gold as a potential for neutrino detection. -- FYRE in STEM Showcase, 2026.
Abstract
Since the discovery of the neutrino 70 years ago, actually detecting them has been a massive challenge to physicists seeking to understand these unusual particles as they only interact with the weak nuclear force, and thus almost never interact with matter. This is especially unfortunate as neutrinos, specifically solar (lower energy, thus even harder to detect) neutrinos, can give us a great level of insight into the internal processes of solar fusion within our sun. This project investigates the potential feasibility of gold as a detection medium for solar neutrinos. While established neutrino detection materials such as water, liquid scintillators, and radiochemical targets have demonstrated their efficacy in neutrino detection, the potential of non-traditional materials like gold remain almost entirely unexplored. Considering the nuclear properties of gold, this study evaluates if gold could provide measurable interaction readings for low-energy solar neutrinos. To determine the potential properties of gold as a possible neutrino detection medium certain specialized simulation software are to be used, specifically the low energy simulation software “Marley,” which through intense and repetitive calculations models precise data on neutrino interactions. Preliminary considerations suggest that gold is unlikely to offer any meaningful potential in terms of neutrino detection, due to low expected interaction rates. However, an evaluation is still necessary, to quantify these limitations and possibly uncover any niche advantages over traditional methods.
Table of Contents
Description
Poster and abstract presented at the FYRE in STEM Showcase, 2026.
Research project completed at the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, Wichita State University.
Research project completed at the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, Wichita State University.
Publisher
Wichita State University
Journal
Book Title
Series
FYRE in STEM 2026