M. Merkin

Testing a prototype of the charge-measuring system for the NUCLEON setup

While preparing for the NUCLEON experiment, a prototype of the experimental setup was tested on a beam of high-energy ions. The response of the charge-measuring system was investigated. The test experiment was simulated. The simulated charge distributions were compared to the experimental data.

Testing the prototype of the NUCLEON setup on the pion beam of the SPS accelerator (CERN)

A technique for determining the energy of primary cosmic rays in the range of 1012–1015 eV has been developed. The idea behind this technique consists in measuring the spatial flux density of secondary particles produced in the first act of inelastic nuclear interaction inside a target and passed through a thin converter layer in which the electromagnetic component (photons from decays of neutral pions) is multiplied. This technique has been developed by generalizing the well-known Castagnoli method (for measuring the angular characteristics of tracks of secondary particles produced in the first act of inelastic nuclear interaction inside a target), and its application offers a chance to design instruments for scientific studies such that their mass is relatively low while their luminosity is high. It is proposed to use this technique in a satellite-based NUCLEON experiment. The technique has been tested on charged particle beams of the SPS accelerator at CERN. Results of these tests confirm that, using this method, it is possible to measure the particle energy and, therefore, perform an orbital scientific experiment with the proposed equipment.

The NUCLEON experiment: The current status

The main purpose of the NUCLEON experiment is direct measurements of the energy spectra of cosmic rays in the range 1011–1015 eV with the use of the lightweight facility during a prolonged orbital flight. The energy is determined using a technique based on the measurement of the spatial density of secondary particles produced in the initial event of inelastic interaction. The schematic diagram of the NUCLEON facility, the current status of the project, the results of testing the prototype, and plans are presented.

First results in studying the readout electronics of the silicon tracking system for upgrading the CLAS12 experiment

Investigations of the readout electronics for the tracking system of the CLAS12 experiment have been performed for the last 2 years. The setup and physical problems of the CLAS12 experiment are described. The silicon detectors designed by the authors for the tracking system of the experiment are considered in brief. The electronic system contains the silicon microstrip detector and FSSR2 integrated circuit, which reads signals from the detector. The FSSR2 chip is described and the principles of the chip architecture intended for processing a time-variable data flow and experimental characteristics obtained on trials of the chip are set forth in brief. Results of simulating the chip throughput under loads expected for the physical experiment and experimental characteristics obtained on trials of this chip are described.

The HERO project for the study of high-energy primary cosmic radiation

Proposals for the High-Energy Ray Observatory (HERO) comprising scientific equipment with increased power availability are presented. Under the long exposure (>7 years), it is proposed to investigate the spectrum and charge composition of cosmic-ray nuclei up to E0 ∼ 1016 eV and to determine the behavior of the energy spectrum in the energy regions >100 GeV for cosmic-ray electrons and >50 GeV for γ radiation. The geometrical factor of the apparatus is 6.0–9.0 m2 sr depending on the type of particles.

Analog Section of a Hadron–Electron Separator of the ZEUS Experiment (DESY)

Some special design features of the detector part of a hadron–electron separator of the ZEUS detector (DESY, Hamburg, Germany) are described. The test results for the basic components of the analog section of the front part of the separator manufactured by Russian factories are given.