Publication: Measurement and simulation of neutron monitor count rate dependence on surrounding structure
4
Issued Date
2015-07-01
Resource Type
ISSN
21699402
21699380
21699380
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-84940713076
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research A: Space Physics. Vol.120, No.7 (2015), 5253-5265
Suggested Citation
N. Aiemsa-Ad, D. Ruffolo, A. Sáiz, P. S. Mangeard, T. Nutaro, W. Nuntiyakul, N. Kamyan, T. Khumlumlert, H. Krüger, H. Moraal, J. W. Bieber, J. Clem, P. Evenson Measurement and simulation of neutron monitor count rate dependence on surrounding structure. Journal of Geophysical Research A: Space Physics. Vol.120, No.7 (2015), 5253-5265. doi:10.1002/2015JA021249 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/35136
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Measurement and simulation of neutron monitor count rate dependence on surrounding structure
Abstract
©2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Neutron monitors are the premier instruments for precise measurements of time variations (e.g., of solar origin) in the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux in the range of ∼1-100 GeV. However, it has proven challenging to accurately determine the yield function (effective area) versus rigidity in order to relate a neutron monitor's count rate with those of other monitors worldwide and the underlying GCR spectrum. Monte Carlo simulations of the yield function have been developed, but there have been few opportunities to validate these observationally, especially regarding the particular environment surrounding each monitor. Here we have precisely measured the count rate of a calibration neutron monitor near the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor (PSNM) at Doi Inthanon, Thailand (18.59<sup>-</sup>N, 98.49<sup>-</sup>E, 2560 m altitude), which provides a basis for comparison with count rates of other neutron monitors worldwide that are similarly calibrated. We directly measured the effect of surrounding structure by operating the calibrator outside and inside the building. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we clarify differences in response of the calibrator and PSNM, as well as the calibrator outside and inside the building. The dependence of the calibrator count rate on surrounding structure can be attributed to its sensitivity to neutrons of 0.5-10 MeV and a shift of sensitivity to nucleons of higher energy when placed inside the building. Simulated calibrator to PSNM count rate ratios inside and outside agree with observations within a few percent, providing useful validation and improving confidence in our ability to model the yield function for a neutron monitor station.