Spark Chamber Spectrometry and Space Radiation Studies. III.
Abstract
A portable spark-chamber range-spectrometer and electronic data acquisition system is described for acquiring spectral data on energetic charged particles. The instrument system consists of a unidirectional spark-chamber range telescope with pulse-height analysis of the specific-energy loss (dE/dx) of a charged particle that passes through a triggering telescope. The range telescope consists of a stack of sealed double-gap spark-discharge modules with absorbers sandwiched between them. A Cerenkov counter discriminates against electrons and muons. Cerenkov and dE/dx signals are gated by the coincidence circuit. Data, either telemetered or recorded in situ, include the number of coincidences, a clock signal, system voltage levels, and the dE/dx, Cerenkov, and spark-discharge module signals. Power consumption of the self-contained system is about 10 watts at an event rate of 20 per second and 17 watts at an event rate of 100 per second. The standby power is about 8 watts. This instrument system can measure primary protons and alphas at balloon altitudes and secondary protons at lower altitudes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA016766
Entities
People
- Alan R. Baldwin
- Richard Madey
Organizations
- Kent State University