The CALOCUBE project for a space based cosmic ray experiment: design, construction, and first performance of a high granularity calorimeter prototype

Abstract

A : Current research in High Energy Cosmic Ray Physics touches on fundamental questions regarding the origin of cosmic rays, their composition, the acceleration mechanisms, and their production. Unambiguous measurements of the energy spectra and of the composition of cosmic rays at the "knee" region could provide some of the answers to the above questions. So far only ground based observations, which rely on sophisticated models describing high energy interactions in the earth's atmosphere, have been possible due to the extremely low particle rates at these energies.A calorimetry based space experiment that could provide not only flux measurements but also energy spectra and particle identification, would certainly overcome some of the uncertainties of ground based experiments. Given the expected particle fluxes, a very large acceptance is needed to collect a sufficient quantity of data, in a time compatible with the duration of a space mission. This in turn, contrasts with the lightness and compactness requirements for space based experiments.We present a novel idea in calorimetry which addresses these issues whilst limiting the mass and volume of the detector. In this paper we report on a four year R&D program where we investigated materials, coatings, photo-sensors, Front End electronics, and mechanical structures with the aim of designing a high performance, high granularity calorimeter with the largest possible acceptance. Details are given of the design choices, component characterisation, and of the construction of a sizeable prototype (Calocube) which has been used in various tests with particle beams.

Design of an Antimatter Large Acceptance Detector In Orbit (ALADInO)

“…The design of the ALADInO calorimeter is based on the CaloCube R&D project [159][160][161], which, for the first time, has paved the way for the optimization of a calorimeter concept specifically designed for the measurement of particles impinging isotropically on the calorimeter. This concept well fits with the geometry of the ALADInO spectrometer.…”

Development of the photo-diode subsystem for the HERD calorimeter double-readout

“…The characterization of FEE employed by CaloCube is summarized in [13], while the performance measured with high energy particle beams are discussed in [16][18] [19]. In view of the HERD experiment, several updates of the electronics were carried out.…”

The High Energy Cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) facility for direct cosmic-ray measurements.

“…The first one is based on wavelength-shifting fibers read out by intensified scientific CMOS cameras [14], while the second on photodiodes directly attached to the LYSO cubes [18]. The two systems have been extensively prototyped and tested, both with Monte Carlo simulations and with particle beams [15][16][17] The FIT [19] will be the main tracking device. It is currently made of 7 double layers of scintillating fibers on each of the 5 sides of the calorimeter, read by silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs).…”