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Results for “Cosmic-Ray Detector”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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NASA NTRS1972

A quantitative investigation of the solar modulation of cosmic-ray protons and helium nuclei

The differential energy spectra of cosmic ray protons and He nuclei were measured at energies up to 315 MeV/nucleon using balloon-borne and satellite-borne instruments. These spectra are presented for solar quiet times for the years 1966 through 1970. The data analysis is verified by extensive accelerator calibrations of the detector systems and by calculations and measurements of the production of secondary protons in the atmosphere. The spectra of protons and He nuclei in this energy range are dominated by the solar modulation of the local interstellar spectra. Numerical solutions to the transport equation are presented for a wide range of parameters.

Garrard, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Measurements of the cosmic-ray Be/B ratio and the age of cosmic rays

The ratio Be/B depends on whether the confinement time of cosmic rays in the Galaxy is long or short compared to the radioactive half-life of Be-10. We report observations of this ratio which were obtained with a dE/dx-Cerenkov detector launched into a polar orbit on OGO-6 as part of the Caltech Solar and Galactic Cosmic Ray Experiment. Be/B ratios were determined for various rigidity thresholds up to 15 GV. We find no statistically significant rigidity dependence of the ratio, which is 0.41 plus or minus 0.02 when averaged over all observed cutoffs. Additional calculations suggest that if the present fragmentation parameters are correct, then the lifetime of cosmic rays in the Galaxy is less then 10 m.y.

Brown, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Inclusive gamma-ray spectra from psi/3095/ and psi-prime/3684/ decays

Inclusive gamma-ray experiments were carried out in a e(+)e(-) colliding-beam apparatus with NaI(Tl) arrays as detectors. The inclusive gamma-ray spectra, after cosmic-ray background subtraction, are shown as histograms for the decays of the psi(3095) and psi-prime(3684). The psi spectrum has no significant narrow structure, while the psi-prime spectrum shows at least four peaks. Three major radiative decays of the psi-prime(3684) are found, and their respective branching fractions are computed.

Biddick, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Gamma-ray astrophysics

The experimental development of gamma-ray astronomy and detectors for gamma-ray observations is reviewed together with recent results obtained by the SAS-2, COS-B, and other satellites. Diffuse gamma-ray emission from the galactic plane is discussed, various localized sources are examined, and the primary production processes for celestial gamma-rays are treated in relation to the difficulty involved in detecting this radiation. Several different types of gamma-ray detectors are described in detail, and the production of high-energy gamma-rays by cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar matter is investigated. Observations of gamma-rays from the Crab Nebula and pulsar, the Vela pulsar, Cen A, and other point or localized sources are summarized with observations of nuclear gamma-ray lines during solar flares. Possible interpretations are considered for the diffuse gamma-radiation detected in regions away from the galactic plane.

Fichtel, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Cosmic-ray abundances of individual elements in the Z interval between 26 and 30

The relative abundances of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn in the cosmic rays have been measured using a large-area balloon-borne electronic detector system. The abundance ratios Ni/Fe and Zn/Fe are 5.0 + or - 0.2% and 0.06 + or - 0.01%, respectively. The Zn abundance is low (40%) compared with the Cameron (1973) (C1) solar system, and is best consistent with the solar system C2 meteorite abundances. The ratios Co/Fe and Cu/Fe, extrapolated to the top of the atmosphere, are 0.68 + or - 0.14% and 0.066 + or - 0.030% respectively; since charge peaks are not resolved at Co and Cu, these results are taken as upper limits of 0.8% and 0.1%, respectively. The Co upper limit is consistent with complete decay of Co-57 at the source and implies a lower limit of 2 years for the time between nucleosynthesis and acceleration of these nuclei.

Tueller, J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Diffuse fluxes of cosmic high-energy neutrinos

Production spectra of high-energy neutrinos from galactic cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar gas and extragalactic ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray interactions with microwave blackbody photons are presented and discussed. These production processes involve the decay of charged pions and are thus related to the production of cosmic gamma rays from the decay of neutral pions. Estimates of the neutrino fluxes from various diffuse cosmic sources are then made, and the reasons for significant differences with previous estimates are discussed. Small predicted event rates for a DUMAND (deep underwater muon and neutrino detector) type detection system, combined with a possible significant flux of prompt neutrinos from the atmosphere above 50 TeV, may make the study of diffuse extraterrestrial neutrinos more difficult than previously thought.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Einstein observations of the X-ray structure of Centaurus A - Evidence for the radio-lobe energy source

The X-ray source at the center of the radio galaxy Centaurus A has been resolved into the following components with the imaging detectors on board the Einstein X-ray Observatory: (1) a point source coincident with the infrared nucleus; (2) diffuse X-ray emission coinciding with the inner radio lobes; (3) a 4-arcmin extended region of emission about the nucleus; and (4) an X-ray jet between the nucleus and the NE inner radio lobe. The 2 x 10 to the 39th ergs/s detected from the radio lobes probably arises from inverse Compton scattering of the microwave background. The average magnetic field in the SW lobe is determined to be not less than 4 microgauss. The extended region may be due to emission by a cloud of hot gas, cosmic-ray scattering, or stellar sources. The jet provides strong evidence for the continuous resupply of energy to the lobes from the nucleus.

Schreier, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Grand unification and possible matter-antimatter domain structure in the universe

The theory and basic concepts for the development of a matter-antimatter domain cosmology are outlined within the framework of the grand unified gauge theory paradigm. It is shown how spontaneous CP symmetry breaking leads to such a domain sturcture in the universe. Astrophysical data such as the cosmic gamma-ray background spectrum, cosmic-ray p flux measurements, and galaxy clustering are found to favor this point of view. Future tests of this form of big-bang cosmology are suggested and discussed, including tests using deep underwater cosmic ray neutrino detectors.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Cosmic ray antimatter and baryon symmetric cosmology

The relative merits and difficulties of the primary and secondary origin hypotheses for the observed cosmic-ray antiprotons, including the new low-energy measurement of Buffington, et al. We conclude that the cosmic-ray antiproton data may be evidence for antimatter galaxies and baryon symmetric cosmology. The present bar P data are consistent with a primary extragalactic component having /p=/equiv 1+/- 3.2/0.7x10 = to the -4 independent of energy. We propose that the primary extragalactic cosmic ray antiprotons are most likely from active galaxies and that expected disintegration of bar alpha/alpha ban alpha/alpha. We further predict a value for ban alpha/alpha =/equiv 10 to the -5, within range of future cosmic ray detectors.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Elemental technetium as a cosmic-ray clock

Several radioactive isotopes have been proposed as clocks for the study of the mean cosmic ray confinement time, T sub e. Measurements of Be-10 and Al-26 give a value for T sub e of about 10 Myr when one uses a leaky box cosmic ray propagation model. It is important to obtain additional measurements of T sub e from other radioactive isotopes in order to check whether the confinement is the same throughout the periodic table. The possible use of Tc (Z = 43) as a cosmic clock is investigated. Since all isotopes of Tc are radioactive, one might be able to group these isotopes and use the elemental abundance as a whole. The results of the calculations are somewhat inconclusive for two reasons. First, the beta + decay half lives of two of the Tc isotopes relevant to our calculation are not known. Second, the dependence of the Tc abundance on the mean confinement time is rather weak when one considers the number of events expected in 4 trays of plastic track detectors. However, a future, finite measurement of the Beta + half lives and the possible use of the entire collecting area of the HNC to detect Tc nuclei could make the use of Tc as a cosmic ray clock more attractive.

Drach, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The Nagoya cosmic-ray muon spectrometer 3, part 1: Preliminary observations

There are some discrepancies among the data of absolute muon intensities at large zenth angles. Through the analysis of the data obtained in the previous measurement by Nagoya Cosmic Ray Spectrometer, one of the sources of these discrepancies has been found to be the ambiguity induced by the selection criteria with which genuine muons are distinguished from the backgrounds. To remove the ambiguity of this kind, it is necessary to know the amount of the backgrounds and their characteristics in detail. Some features of the background events were reported from the observations by using this triggering system of Nagoya Cosmic Ray Spectrometer. In this paper, the results of extended observations using track detector together with this system are reported.

Kamiya, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Cosmic-ray backgrounds in infrared bolometers

Model calculations for the production of cosmic ray events in IR detectors by energy impulses due to fast charged particles' ionization trails are presently compared to the pulse-amplitude spectrum observed from a balloon at an altitude of 38 km. The results are pertinent to the current understanding of cosmic ray backgrounds found in all high sensitivity bolometer applications. The observed signal transients are in all details consistent with the modeling of known cosmic charged particle flux characteristics and with the detector response. Generally, the optics design should minimize detector/substrate cross section.

Nolt, I. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Workshop on Cosmic Ray and High Energy Gamma Ray Experiments for the Space Station Era, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, October 17-20, 1984, Proceedings

The potential of the Space Station as a platform for cosmic-ray and high-energy gamma-ray astronomy is discussed in reviews, reports, and specific proposals. Topics examined include antiparticles and electrons, science facilities and new technology, high-energy nuclear interactions, nuclear composition and energy spectra, Space Shuttle experiments, Space Station facilities and detectors, high-energy gamma rays, and gamma-ray facilities and techniques. Consideration is given to universal-baryon-symmetry testing on the scale of galactic clusters, particle studies in a high-inclination orbit, balloon-borne emulsion-chamber results on ultrarelativistic nucleus-nucleus interactions, ionization states of low-energy cosmic rays, a large gamma-ray telescope for point-source studies above 1 GeV, and the possible existence of stable quark matter.

Jones, W. V.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Large area emulsion chamber experiments for the Space Shuttle

Emulsion-chamber experiments employing nuclear-track emulsions, etchable plastic detectors, metal plates, and X-ray films continue to demonstrate high productivity and potential in the study of cosmic-ray primaries and their interactions. Emulsions, with unsurpassed track-recording capability, provide an appropriate medium for the study of nucleus-nucleus interactions at high energy, which will likely produce observations of a phase change in nuclear matter. The many advantages of emulsion chambers (excellent multitrack recording capability, large geometry factor, low apparatus cost, simplicity of design and construction) are complemented by the major advantages of the Space Shuttle as an experiment carrier. A Shuttle experiment which could make a significant advance in both cosmic-ray primary and nucleus-nucleus interaction studies is described. Such an experiment would serve as a guide for use of emulsions during the Space Station era. Some practical factors that must be considered in planning a Shuttle exposure of emulsion chambers are discussed.

Parnell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Elemental technetium and promethium as cosmic-ray clocks

The possibility of using elemental Tc (Z = 43) and Pm (Z = 61) as clocks to measure the mean cosmic-ray confinement time in the Galaxy, tau(epsilon) is considered. For this purpose it is necessary to estimate the unknown beta(+) decay half-lives of several Tc and Pm isotopes; these estimates are obtained using beta-decay systematics. In the case of Tc it is possible to estimate the half-lives sufficiently well and show that this element can indeed be used as a cosmic-ray clock; in the case of Pm the half-lives are too uncertain to permit any conclusion. In order to make meaningful measurement of tau(epsilon) using elemental Tc, a comsic-ray detector must have a charge resolution less than about 0.25e in the region around Tc, and enough collecting power to detect a few hundred Tc nuclei.

Drach, J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Radioactivity observed in scintillation counters during the HEAO-1 mission

Results are reported from an analysis of radioactivity induced in the NaI medium-energy detector of the hard X-ray and low-energy gamma-ray experiment during the HEAO-1 satellite mission (1977-1978). Consideration is given to the instrument characteristics, the origin and variability of background, and the separation of cosmic-ray activity from the internal activity due to South Atlantic Anomaly trapped protons. Energy spectra and tables listing the nuclide identifications are provided.

Gruber, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Scientific considerations in the design of the Mars Observer gamma-ray spectrometer

Cosmic-ray primary and secondary particles induce characteristic gamma-ray and neutron emissions from condensed bodies in our solar system. These characteristic emissions can be used to obtain qualitative and quantitative elemental analyses of planetary surfaces from orbital altitudes. Remote sensing gamma-ray spectroscopy has been successfully used to obtain elemental composition of the Moon and Mars during United States Apollo 15 and 16 missions and the Soviet Luna and Mars missions. A remote sensing gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer will be included aboard the United States Mars Observer Mission. If proper care is not taken in the design of the spectrometer and choice of materials in the construction of the detector system ahd spacecraft, the sensitivity of these remote sensing spectrometers can be greatly degraded. A discussion of these design and material selection problems is presented.

Arnold, J. R.↗
DOE OSTI2026

The General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS) Antarctic Balloon Payload

The General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS) is an Antarctic stratospheric balloon mission designed to provide unmatched sensitivity to low-energy (<0.25 GeV/n) cosmic-ray antiprotons, antideuterons, and antihelium nuclei as signatures of dark matter. The distinctive GAPS particle identification technique relies on measuring the energy loss along the track of an incoming antinucleus as it slows down and is captured into an exotic atom, and then detecting the de-excitation X-rays and the nuclear annihilation products. This measurement is realized using a Tracker composed of more than 1000 custom silicon strip detectors and a plastic scintillator time-of-flight (TOF) system instrumenting more than 40m$^2$. Together, these subsystems provide the velocity and energy resolution, stopping power, particle tracking, and X-ray identification necessary to distinguish rare antinucleus signals from the abundant positive-nucleus backgrounds, all within the constraints of a high-altitude mission. A multi-loop capillary heat pipe system has been developed to maintain the tracker operating temperature with significant mass and power savings over a conventional pump-based system. The first GAPS science payload flew for 25 days during the 2025/26 NASA Antarctic balloon campaign. We detail the design, integration, and commissioning of the payload prior to flight.

Aoyama, Kazutaka [JAXA, Sagamihara]↗