Cosmic Ray Muon Detection
LEVEL 3 LABORATORY
High Energy Physics
Cosmic Ray Muons
Objectives of the Project
- Development of a detector of cosmic ray muons and measuring the speed and lifetime of the muons.
Apparatus
- Scintillation detection system.
- Photomultiplier tubes.
- Plastic scintillator.
- SiPMTs
- Electronics: Amplifier, Various discriminators, Multi-channel Analyser (MCA).
- Ambient temperature/pressure monitor.
Experimental Procedure
- Establish that each of the detectors in the scintillation detection system (SDS) are operational and can detect charged particles (using beta- and positron-emitting radioactive sources).
- Measure the pulse height spectra from the SDS and generally investigate the performance of the system. Investigate the sensitivitry of the system to stray ambient light.
- Determine the characteristics of the discriminators and the coincidence unit and implement them to improve the cosmic ray muon pulse height spectrum. Monitor the spectrum as a function of air pressure and temperature.
- Measure the speed and lifetime of cosmic ray muons.
- Implement SiPMTs in the scintillation detection of cosmic ray muons.
References
- Flugge, S. (Ed): Handbuch der Physik (Vols. XLIV and XLV).
- Melissinos, A.C. and Napolitano, J.: Experiments in Modern Physics.
- Wolfendale, A.W.: Cosmic Rays.
- Leo, W.R.: Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments
- Useful statistics
External links
- Adelaide university real time data from undergraduate muon detector
- Real time neutron/muon monitor data are also available at: The Bartol Research Institute