Development of an optically pure in β-diketonate for the scintillator of an ¹¹⁵In-loaded solar neutrino detector

We report on the development of a novel In-loaded scintillator for a next generation low energy solar neutrino detector that would be based on neutrino interactions with ¹¹⁵In. In particular, β-diketone complexes added to organic scintillating solvents are investigated. Here we describe details of the chemical synthesis and unique purification steps for specific indium-β-diketonates that we developed so as to achieve the main properties needed for such an experiment: optical transparency, chemical stability and high solubility in a scintillator solvent. Together with suitably adjusted fluors, we find that notable light yields are possible.