Engineering topics

Fisher, A. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Fisher, A. J..

9 records

NASA NTRS1977

Energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei - Z of 4 to 26 and E of 0.3 to 2 GeV/amu

The differential kinetic-energy spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei in the charge range from 4 to 28 are determined using data obtained from a high-altitude balloonborne detector. The data are derived from the response of an acrylic plastic Cerenkov counter and cover the kinetic-energy range from 400 to 2100 MeV/amu. A Cerenkov pulse-height histogram is obtained for each charge, and the kinetic-energy spectra are derived by means of a formal mathematical deconvolution of these histograms. Results of the deconvolution calculation extrapolated to the top of the atmosphere are presented for the most abundant nuclei; it is found that the spectra are not amenable to representation by spectral indices, so the relative spectra of the different elements are compared by evaluating the charge ratios as a function of energy. The results show that secondary/primary ratios decrease with increasing energy, while primary/primary ratios are constant for Z of 6 to 10 and 14 to 26 but vary for Z of 10 to 14. It is concluded that the data seem to indicate more than one cosmic-ray source region.

Maehl, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Be-10 abundance and the age of cosmic rays - A balloon measurement

A balloon-borne payload was launched from Thompson, Canada, on August 15, 1973. The float depth averaged 4.5 g/sq cm of residual atmosphere, and the experiment live time was 31,500 sec. A total-energy-versus-range technique was used in the measurements. Preliminary results from this experiment have been given by Hagen et al. (1975). The final results are reported along with a detailed description of the analysis techniques. Information is provided concerning improved atmospheric and energy corrections, an updated estimation of the modulation effects, and a revised lifetime estimate.

Hagen, F. A.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei: 4z26 and .3E2 GeV/amu

Energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei in the charge range 5 is less than or equal to z less than or equal to 26 have been derived from the response of an acrylic plastic Cerenkov detector. Data were obtained using a balloon borne detector and cover the energy range 320 is approximately less than e approximately less than 2200 MeV. amu. Spectra are derived from a formal deconvolution using the method of Lezniak (1975). Relative spectra of different elements are compared by observing charge ratios. Secondary primary ratios are observed to decrease with increasing energy, consistent with the effect previously observed at higher energy. Primary to primary ratios are constant for 6 is less than or equal to z less than or equal to 26 and 14 is less than or equal to z less than or equal to 26 but vary for 10 is less than or equal to z less than or equal to 14. This data is found to be consistent with existing data where comparable and lends strong support ot the idea of two separate source populations contributing to the cosmic ray composition.

Maehl, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The isotopic composition of cosmic rays with Z between 5 and 26

Results are reported for a high-altitude balloon flight which measured the isotopic composition of cosmic rays by using a Cerenkov-range technique to determine the masses of arriving cosmic rays with charges between 5 and 26 for kinetic energies around 450 MeV/amu. Event-selection criteria are discussed, and the mass-determination technique is outlined. Some of the mass histograms resulting from the analysis are presented along with the mean masses calculated from the data, and the derived isotopic compositions. It is found that: (1) C, N, and O are consistent with pure C-12, N-14, and O-16 sources; (2) Mg seems to require some neutron-rich component at the source; (3) Ne appears to require a source isotopic composition that is even more neutron-rich than the universal abundances; and (4) the source may be somewhat enriched in Fe-54. It is suggested that the fundamental nuclear physics which governed the synthesis of solar-system material may also be responsible for cosmic rays, implying that the solar system is probably an average sample of galactic matter.

Fisher, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Neutron-rich isotopes of cosmic rays with Z between 9 and 16

Data are reported on the isotopic composition of cosmic rays with charges between 9 and 16 at a temperature of 450 MeV per amu. The data show the presence of a considerable neutron-rich component of Mg and Ne, the measured mean masses being 24.3 plus or minus 0.1 and 20.8 plus or minus 0.1, respectively. Coupled with a calculation of the evolution of cosmic-ray isotopic abundances during propagation, these masses indicate that there is probably some neutron-rich material in this charge range at the cosmic-ray source. To explain the Ne mass requires more neutron-rich Ne at the source than is observed in solar-system material. This result is discussed in light of recent theories of nucleosynthesis and cosmic-ray propagation.

Maehl, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1975

The isotopic composition of cosmic rays with 5 is less than or equal to z which is less than or equal to 26

Results obtained from a high altitude balloon flight from Thompson, Canada in August, 1973 are reported. The instrument consisted of a spark chamber, a Lucite Gerenkov counter and thirteen layers of scintillators. For heavy particles the Cerenkov-range method of analysis was used to determine the mass of particles energetic enough to produce a Cerenkov signal and then stop in the layered scintillators. The data appear to be consistent with current cosmic-ray propagation models. Using a simple exponential path length propagation model this data is extrapolated to the cosmic-ray source and some implications of the data are discussed as to the nature of the source.

Fisher, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Astrophysical implications of the isotopic composition of cosmic rays

This paper considers some of the astrophysical consequences of recent cosmic-ray isotope measurements in the charge range between 4 and 26 for energies of 200 to 600 MeV/amu. Using a simple exponential path-length propagation model, the isotopic and chemical compositions are extrapolated observed back to the cosmic-ray source. With the possible exception of neon, all the results are consistent with the current understanding of cosmic-ray propagation and source composition. Some implications of the isotopic data as to the nature of the source are discussed.

Maehl, R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A Cerenkov-Range analysis of the isotopic composition of cosmic rays with Z from 6 to 26

High-altitude balloon data on the isotopic composition of heavy cosmic rays are reported. The experiment used a Cerenkov detector, arrays of scintillators, and a digitized wire spark chamber. Peaks assigned to the mono-isotopic elements F and Na indicate that an absolute mass scale can be derived from the data. Even-Z elements in the Z range from 12 through 16 are represented mainly by alpha-particle nuclei. Neutron-rich components dominate in the case of neon present. Mass histograms are plotted for C, O, N, Ne, Mg, and Fe.

Fisher, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A large area multi-element telescope for measuring the cosmic ray isotope composition

To measure the isotopic composition of cosmic rays up to Fe an instrument is needed with good isotopic resolution and a large exposure. The large geometry needed for a balloon-borne detector has been obtained with large mapped detectors and a trajectory determining spark chamber. The instrument achieves isotopic resolution only for stopping particles. For low charge particles where there is no Cerenkov response the detector works as a multiple dE/dx-Range-Energy detector. For higher charges where scintillator saturation becomes important it becomes a Cerenkov-range measurement.

Fisher, A. J.↗