Ring imaging detector for cosmic-ray observations

Don Ellithorpe; Edward Diehl; Dietrich Mueller; Simon P. Swordy

doi:10.1117/12.253968

18 October 1996 Ring imaging detector for cosmic-ray observations

Don Ellithorpe, Edward Diehl, Dietrich Mueller, Simon P. Swordy

Proceedings Volume 2806, Gamma-Ray and Cosmic-Ray Detectors, Techniques, and Missions; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.253968
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The measurement of particle velocities in cosmic ray experiments has largely been made by counters which determine the total amount of Cherenkov light emitted by a radiator material. Here we discuss a far more accurate technique which measures the angle of emission of individual Cherenkov photons by imaging the emission cone onto a ring. This approach has the advantage of supplying a velocity estimate from each detected photon and a large reduction in the effects of background light. As an example, we shall discuss our ring imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH) for high altitude balloon cosmic ray experiments. This instrument combines a 3 m gas Cherenkov radiator with 1.5 m multiplied by 1.5 m of position sensitive photon detectors based on TMAE gas mixtures. The photon detector assembly detects individual photons with a quantum efficiency of 10 - 20% in the UV region of the spectrum. The use of VLSI electronics provides individual readout of 18,000 1 cm by 1 cm pixels. The future application of this technique in cosmic ray instruments also is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Don Ellithorpe, Edward Diehl, Dietrich Mueller, and Simon P. Swordy "Ring imaging detector for cosmic-ray observations", Proc. SPIE 2806, Gamma-Ray and Cosmic-Ray Detectors, Techniques, and Missions, (18 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.253968

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