Advanced thin ionization calorimeter to measure ultrahigh energy cosmic rays

Eun Suk Seo, University of Maryland, College Park
J. H. Adams, Naval Research Laboratory
G. L. Bashindzhagyan, Lomonosov Moscow State University
O. V. Dudnik, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
A. R. Fazely, Southern University and A&M College
L. Garcia, Southern University and A&M College
N. L. Grigorov, Lomonosov Moscow State University
T. G. Guzik, Louisiana State University
S. Inderhees, Naval Research Laboratory
J. Isbert, Louisiana State University
H. C. Jung, Seoul National University
L. Khein, Lomonosov Moscow State University
S. K. Kim, Seoul National University
R. A. Kroeger, Naval Research Laboratory
F. B. McDonald, University of Maryland, College Park
M. I. Panasyuk, Lomonosov Moscow State University
C. S. Park, Seoul National University
W. K.H. Schmidt, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
C. Dion-Schwarz, Naval Research Laboratory
V. G. Senchishin, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
J. Z. Wang, University of Maryland, College Park
J. P. Wefel, Louisiana State University
V. I. Zatsepin, Lomonosov Moscow State University
S. Y. Zinn, University of Maryland, College Park

Abstract

An Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) will be used to investigate the charge composition and energy spectra of primary cosmic rays over the energy range from about 1010 to >1014 eV in a series of long-duration balloon flights. The totally active BGO calorimeter, 22 radiation length thick, will measure the electromagnetic energy ensuing from nuclear interactions in a one interaction length thick carbon target. Trajectory information will be obtained from the location of the cascade axis in the BGO calorimeter and in the segmented scintillator layers of the upstream carbon target. The highly segmented charge module comprised of scintillator strips, a silicon matrix, and a Cherenkov array will minimize the effect of backscattered particles on primary charge measurements. While obtaining new high priority scientific results, the ATIC balloon payload can also serve as a proof of concept, or engineering model, for a BGO calorimeter-based instrument on the International Space Station. We examine the added advantage of locating such an experiment for long durations on a platform such as the Space Station. © 1997 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.