Spark chamber spectrometry and space radiation studies, 3
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.
- Publication:
-
Final Report
- Pub Date:
- October 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975kent.reptR....M
- Keywords:
-
- Charged Particles;
- Data Acquisition;
- Radiation Spectra;
- Spark Chambers;
- Spectrometers;
- Cosmic Rays;
- Portable Equipment;
- Telescopes;
- Instrumentation and Photography