L. Bezrukov

Multi-pixel Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode and wavelength-shifting fibre-optics readout of plastic scintillator counters for the EMMA underground experiment

The results of a development of a scintillator counter with wavelength shifting (WLS) fibre and a multi-pixel Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode readout are presented. The photodiode has a metal-resistor-semiconductor layered structure and operates in the limited Geiger mode. The scintillator counter has been developed for the EMMA underground cosmic ray experiment.

EMMA – an underground cosmic-ray experiment

A new cosmic-ray experiment is under construction in the Pyhasalmi mine, Finland. It aims to study the (mass) composition of cosmic rays at and above the knee region. The array, called EMMA (Experiment with MultiMuon Array), will cover approximately 130 m 2 of detector area at a depth of 75 metres (~210 mwe). It is able to locate shower cores in an area of approximately 400 m 2 with an accuracy better than 6 metres. The array detects underground muons and the muon multiplicity, their lateral distribution and the arrival direction of the air shower can be determined. First scientific measurements can be started during the spring 2009 with a partial-size array. The full-size array is expected to be ready by autumn 2010. The full-size array consist of two type of detectors: drift chambers and plastic scintillation detectors. Besides the composition study, it is also expected that the array contributes on the study of high-multiplicity muon bundles that were observed at the cosmic-ray experiments at the LEP detectors.

Evaluation of high UV sensitive SiPMs from MEPhI/MPI for use in liquid argon

The GERDA experiment requires large area photodetectors with sensitivity to 128nm light and with extremely low radioactivity. Novel Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) is a promising candidate for this photodetector. Questions concerned with development of vacuum UV sensitive SiPMs with extremely large area are discussed with emphasis on electrical SiPM models and SPICE parameters extraction.

Background and muon counting rates in underground muon measurements with a plastic scintillator counter based on a wavelength shifting fibre and a multi-pixel avalanche photodiode readout

In this short note we present results of background measurements carried out with polystyrene based cast plastic 12.0×12.0×3.0 cm3 size scintillator counter with a wavelength shifting fibre and a multi-pixel Geiger mode avalanche photodiode readout in the Baksan underground laboratory at a depth of 200 metres of water equivalent. The total counting rate of the scintillator counter measured at this depth and at a threshold corresponding to ∼0.37 of a minimum ionizing particle is approximately 1.3 Hz.

Geiger mode APD's for the underground cosmic ray experiment EMMA

Multi-pixel photodiodes operating in a limited Geiger mode will be used for photoreadout of scintillator counters in underground cosmic ray experiment EMMA. Main parameters of photodiodes and the performance of EMMA scintillator counters are presented.

Underground cosmic-ray experiment EMMA

EMMA (Experiment with MultiMuon Array) is a new approach to study the composition of cosmic rays at the knee region (1 – 10 PeV). The array will measure the multiplicity and lateral distribution of the high-energy muon component of an air shower and its arrival direction on an event-by-event basis. The array operates in the Pyhasalmi Mine, Finland, at a depth of 75 metres (or 210 m.w.e) corresponding to the cut-off energy of approximately 50 GeV for vertical muons. The data recording with a partial array has started and preliminary results of the first test runs are presented.

Calculation of total muon flux observed by Muon Monitor experiment

An approach to calculate the flux of cosmicgenic muons detected by Muon Monitor experiment in lab LAB2400 of the Underground Laboratory in Canfranc (LSC) is described. The measuring apparatus consists of three layers of SC16 scintillation matrix detectors. The hardware function of the detector assembly was determined using computer simulation. Obtained value of the total muon ux turned out to be equal to (4.35 ± 0.2) × 10−3 m −2 s −1.

Muon multiplicities measured using an underground cosmic-ray array

EMMA (Experiment with Multi-Muon Array) is an underground detector array designed for cosmic-ray composition studies around the knee energy (or ~ 1 — 10 PeV). It operates at the shallow depth in the Pyhasalmi mine, Finland. The array consists of eleven independent detector stations ~ 15 m2 each. Currently seven stations are connected to the DAQ and the rest will be connected within the next few months. EMMA will determine the multiplicity, the lateral density distribution and the arrival direction of high-energy muons event by event. The preliminary estimates concerning its performance together with an example of measured muon multiplicities are presented.

EAS selection in the EMMA underground array

The first measurements of the Experiment with MultiMuon Array (EMMA) have been analyzed for the selection of the Extensive Air Showers (EAS). Test data were recorded with an underground muon tracking station and a satellite station separated laterally by 10 metres. Events with tracks distributed over all of the tracking detector area and even extending over to the satellite station are identified as EAS. The recorded multiplicity spectrum of the events is in general agreement with CORSIKA EAS simulation and demonstrates the arrays capability of EAS detection.