Background sensitivity of a double Compton gamma-ray telescope to atmospheric neutrons.
Abstract
The balloon-borne Double Compton Telescope, developed for the observation of low-energy (1-10 MeV) cosmic gamma rays, has been calibrated to determine its response to atmospheric secondary neutrons. The calibration procedure consisted of subjecting the detector to a continuous neutron spectrum in which neutron energy reached 140 MeV. It is noted that when neutrons struck the telescope's upper detector, events satisfying the acceptance criteria for downward-moving gamma rays were produced because reactions with carbon atoms generated gamma rays as byproducts. Telescope detection efficiency for these events was evaluated as a function of neutron energy for 45, 90, and 135-deg incident angles. Estimates of the energy distribution function were calculated. Combining calibration results and measurements of atmospheric neutron intensity, estimates of telescope counting rates were found.
- Publication:
-
Space Science Instrumentation
- Pub Date:
- December 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977SSI.....3..423D
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Radiation;
- Background Radiation;
- Balloon-Borne Instruments;
- Gamma Ray Telescopes;
- Neutron Counters;
- Compton Effect;
- Neutron Emission;
- Sensitivity;
- Astronomy;
- Gamma Rays:Telescopes