THE STUDY AND INVESTIGATION OF NEUTRONS PRESENT ABOVE THE ATMOSPHERE IN NEAR-EARTH SPACE.
Abstract
The density of neutrons above the atmosphere was measured by a pair of BF3 proportional counter systems aboard a polar orbiting satellite. The shape of the latitude variation of the measured density (10:1 between poles and equator) was consistent with theoretical predictions, but the measured absolute values were about three times higher. Since neutrons in the vicinity of earth are produced by cosmic ray interactions, instrumentation was developed to measure the poorly known heavy element component of the cosmic radiation. A large area scintillator-Cerenkov telescope with a geometric factor of 176 sq cm stearadian was developed in prototype for measurements from high altitude baloons. The principal difficulty in developing a telescope with large aperture (necessary for good counting statistics) is maintaining good pulse height resolution. This was solved for the Cerenkov detector with a technique of optical trimming of the photomultiplier cathods. A number of detection schemes for high energy neutrons were investigated including a proton recoil detector, a C12-3 alpha detector, and bismuth fission detectors. The conclusion of this study is that a compact multiplate fission ionization chamber would be more practical than a bismuth loaded liquid scintillator.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0635525
Entities
People
- J. B. Mead
- J. P. Martin