A detection system for three-dimensional visualization of cosmic muons trajectories

Abstract

A detection system for measuring the direction of cosmic muons is presented. The detector is composed by two multiwire proportional chambers 55 mm apart from each other. These chambers operate as two independent subdetectors in coincidence. Each subdetector provides two-dimensional (2D) localization of ionizing events making use of a single X and Y cathode structure for position readout. 2D localization is achieved by associating one delay line to each spatial coordinate. The trajectory is reconstructed from the two pairs of coordinates measured in the subdetector planes. Signals related to the X and Y coordinates of ionizing events are electronically processed and recorded by a data acquisition interface connected to a host personal computer (PC). A user interface software shows the trajectories of ionizing events in a three-dimensional graphic window. Cosmic particles trajectories are visualized in real time. Results are shown that characterize the system performance. The angular and length distributions for measured and simulated muon trajectories are also presented. The obtained results show that, besides the educational purpose of showing real time cosmic ray trajectories, the presented system is also suitable for studying physical properties of cosmic muons.

Using a multilayer printed circuit board as position sensing electrode in a triple-GEM detector

“…This technique has originally been proposed for use with Multiwire Proportional Chambers (MWPC) [7], and has been successfully Manuscript used in different particle detectors [8], [9]. The X&Y anode is a multilayer printed circuit board in which charge sampling elements are implemented in the upper surface.…”