Leakage tests of the stainless steel vessels of the antineutrino detectors in the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment

The antineutrino detectors for the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment are liquid scintillator detectors designed to detect electron anti-neutrino via inverse beta interactions with high efficiency and low backgrounds. Since the antineutrino detector will be installed and immerged in water Cherenkov detector and will run for 3 to 5 years, water tightness is critical to the successful operation of the antineutrino detectors. A special seal technique was used for this purpose. Three leak checking methods have been employed to ensure the seal quality. This paper describes the sealing method and leakage testing results.