Development and Test of Top and Bottom Counting Detector for ISS-CREAM Experiment

by Jeong Min Park (Ph.D Candidate)

Tuesday Nov 1, 2016, 4:30 PM → 5:30 PM Asia/Seoul

201-4호 (제1과학관)

It is important to measure the cosmic ray spectra to study the origin, acceler- ation and propagation mechanisms of high-energy cosmic rays. A payload of the Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM) experiment is scheduled to launch in 2017 to the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS-CREAM experiment will measure the cosmic ray elemental spectra and compositions. Cosmic ray electron spectrum shows some excess from 300 GeV to 900 GeV, but the excess raises many questions. Top Counting Detector (TCD) and Bottom Counting Detector (BCD) are designed for e/p separation, and consist of a plastic scintillator and 20 × 20 photodiode arrays. The 2-dimensional detectors (TCD/BCD) can measure the elec- tromagnetic and hadronic shower profiles. The electromagnetic shower profile from electron events is narrower and shorter than hadronic shower from proton events. By using this difference, the TCD/BCD can separate the electron events from proton events. Also the TCD/BCD provide a redundant trigger in addition to a calorime- ter trigger, and a low energy trigger to the ISS-CREAM instrument. ISS-CREAM experiment has many critical requirements because it is a space experiment. For satisfying these critical requirements, the mechanical safety and performance of the electronics are simulated and tested under various conditions. Also the capa- bility of the e/p separation of the TCD/BCD is studied by using the GEANT3 and GEANT4 simulation programs. According to the results of the various tests and simulations, the TCD/BCD are safe mechanically and electronicly in the space con- dition and capable of e/p separation. The development procedures and test results of the TCD/BCD are studied.

 

Thesis Advisor: Prof. Hongjoo Kim