Publication: Preliminary FLUKA simulations of the changvan neutron monitor
Issued Date
2021-01-28
Resource Type
ISSN
17426596
17426588
17426588
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85100804884
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Physics: Conference Series. Vol.1719, No.1 (2021)
Suggested Citation
K. Fongsamut, P. Jiang, W. Nuntiyakul, A. Sáiz, D. Ruffolo, P. S. Mangeard, P. Evenson, K. Munakata, J. Madsen, P. Chuanraksasat, B. Soonthorntham, S. Komonjinda, R. Macatangay Preliminary FLUKA simulations of the changvan neutron monitor. Journal of Physics: Conference Series. Vol.1719, No.1 (2021). doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1719/1/012004 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/79012
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Title
Preliminary FLUKA simulations of the changvan neutron monitor
Abstract
A neutron monitor (NM) is a ground- (or sea-) based detector of the flux of cosmic ray particles in space. The high-energy cosmic rays in the GeV primary range interact in the upper atmosphere, producing a cascade of subatomic particles, some of which reach Earth's surface. A neutron monitor is mostly sensitive to the neutron component of the atmospheric cascade. The standard-design neutron monitor (NM64) contains lead, the nuclei of which fragment when struck by a high-energy particle. Some of the fragments are neutrons which are moderated and trapped by polyethylene acting as a reflector and moderator. These neutrons can then be detected by induced nuclear fission of 10B in a 10BF3 gas proportional counter. The Changvan neutron monitor is a portable neutron monitor assembled in Thailand and housed in a standard insulated shipping container to conduct long-term research in polar regions. There are three proportional counters in the Changvan, but the central counter lacks the lead producer. Since the detector has a non-standard semi-leaded design, we examine the detection efficiency of the Changvan for neutrons and other atmospheric secondary particles. We are also developing an electronic board and a highly sensitive control module to reduce dead time to a minimum, for monitoring neutrons in the GeV energy range. Simulation results accounting for the dead time will also be reported.