Calibration System and Magnetic Shielding for NuDot

The success of future kiloton-scale liquid scintillator neutrino experiments is dependent on novel advancements in background reduction and isotope loading techniques. Otherwise-irreducible backgrounds such as ⁸B solar neutrino scattering can be identified by their event topology using Cherenkov light signals. NuDot is a half-ton prototype aiming to demonstrate this technique, using precision timing to separate Cherenkov and scintillation signals in 1 to 2 MeV beta particles. The goal of the current surface data-taking campaign is to demonstrate Cherenkov light-based directional reconstruction with a collimated beta calibration source. Presented here is a collection of improvements to the NuDot experiment, contributing to the efficiency and accuracy of data collection during this phase. Included will be the optimized mathematical models, design, and implementation plan for the geo-magnetic field shielding, which will reduce the magnetic field in the active volume of the detector to less than 10% of the present geo-magnetic field, allowing a PMT efficiency of 99%. The second element is a series of hardware and electronics alterations, namely for the calibration system, essential for testing directional reconstruction.