Salient features, response and operation of Lead-Free Gulmarg Neutron Monitor
Abstract
Lead-Free Gulmarg Neutron Monitor (LFGNM) provides continuous ground level intensity measurements of atmospheric secondary neutrons produced in interactions of primary cosmic rays with the Earth's constituent atmosphere. We report the LFGNM detector salient features and simulation of its energy response for 10-11 MeV to 104 MeV energy incident neutrons using the FLUKA Monte Carlo package. An empirical calibration of the LFGNM detector carried out with a Pu-Be neutron source for maximising its few MeV neutron counting sensitivity is also presented. As an illustration of its functionality a single representative transient solar modulation event recorded by LFGNM depicting Forbush decrease in integrated neutron data for which the geospace consequences are well known is also presented. Performance of LFGNM under actual observation conditions for effectively responding to transient solar modulation is seen to compare well with other world-wide conventional neutron monitors.
- Publication:
-
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A
- Pub Date:
- March 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.nima.2016.01.019
- Bibcode:
- 2016NIMPA.813...74M
- Keywords:
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- Cosmic-ray-induced secondary neutrons;
- Neutron monitors;
- FLUKA;
- Energy response;
- Solar modulation;
- Forbush decrease