Supernova observation via neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering in the CLEAN detector

Development of large mass detectors for low-energy neutrinos and dark matter may allow supernova detection via neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering. An elastic-scattering detector could observe a few, or more, events per ton for a galactic supernova at 10 kpc (3.1×10²⁰m). This large yield, a factor of at least 20 greater than that for existing light-water detectors, arises because of the very large coherent cross section and the sensitivity to all flavors of neutrinos and antineutrinos. An elastic scattering detector can provide important information on the flux and spectrum of ν_μ and ν_τ from supernovae. We consider many detectors and a range of target materials from ⁴He to ²⁰⁸Pb. Monte Carlo simulations of low-energy backgrounds are presented for the liquid-neon-based Cryogenic Low Energy Astrophysics with Noble gases detector. The simulated background is much smaller than the expected signal from a galactic supernova.