Low-radioactivity ultrasonic hydrophone used in positioning system for Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory

To satisfy the accurate positioning requirement of the calibration source in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory, a Tonpilz-type hydrophone with low radioactivity and high electroacoustics is developed.The radioactivity of the proposed hydrophone is strictly controlled by selecting pure raw materials, especially active piezoelectric ceramics. The electroacoustic performance of the hydrophone is improved by making structural optimization. High sensitivity and aimed directivity are achieved using 33-mode piezoelectric ceramic rings arranged in series and improvement in the radiating head of the Tonpilz hydrophone, respectively. All electroacoustic performances are studied through finite element analyses.The simulations indicate that the electroacoustic performances of the hydrophones in linear alkylbenzene-based liquid scintillator can be approximately predicted according to the results in water because their differences caused by two types of acoustic media, water and liquid scintillator, are known. The tests show that the hydrophone prototype can achieve a maximum sensitivity of-209.3dB and a beamwidth of 132.2° at a frequency of 143 kHz.In addition, eight hydrophones only contributed to a background radioactivity level of 26 ± 4 mHz in the neutrino analysis.