written by Brett Fadem

Muon counting experiments provide students with an opportunity to learn about particle detection in high energy physics, detector design/construction, electronics, coincidence counting, counting statistics, and characteristics of the muons that traverse our bodies every minute of every day. The goal of this project is to construct a muon detector sensitive to the direction of muons, make a measurement of rate vs. angle, and compare the result both to the known angular distribution and to the results of a computer simulation. Several aspects of the design are left open: The first amplification stage of the signal and the digitization stage can be designed by the students. These activities use mailing tubes as the basis for the detectors, but students might choose to design their own mechanical structures and enclosures. If they so choose, students have the opportunity to work with CAD software, 3D printing, and laser cutting. Another selling point for the design described here is the use of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) instead of traditional high voltage photomultiplier tubes, providing students with exposure to modern light detection techniques in high energy physics. Finally, while not described in these proceedings, the associated activity of creating a computer simulation of muon rates vs. angle helps students to understand the physical considerations that affect the measurement they are making.

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Last Modified January 17, 2019

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