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Astrophysical observations give convincing evidence for a vast non-baryonic component, the so-called dark matter, accounting for over 20% of the overall content of our Universe. Direct dark matter search experiments explore the possibility of interactions of these dark matter particles with ordinary baryonic matter via elastic scattering resulting in single nuclear recoils. The ZEPLIN-III detector operated on the basis of a dualphase (liquid/gas) xenon target, recording events in two separate response channels { scintillation and ionisation. These allow discrimination between electron recoils (from background radiation) and the signal expected from Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) elastic scatters. Following a productive first exposure, the detector was upgraded with a new array of ultra-low background photomultiplier tubes, reducing the electron recoil background by over an order of magnitude. A second major upgrade to the detector was the incorporation of a tonne-scale active veto detector system, surrounding the WIMP target. Calibration and science data taken in coincidence with ZEPLIN-III showed rejection of up to 30% of the dominant electron recoil background and over 60% of neutron induced nuclear recoils. Data taking for the second science run finished in May 2011 with a total accrued raw fiducial exposure of 1,344 kg days. With this extensive data set, from over 300 days of run time, a limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross-section of 4.8 10-8 pb near 50 GeV/c2 WIMP mass with 90% confidence was set. This result combined with the first science run of ZEPLIN-III excludes the scalar cross-section above 3.9 10-8 pb. Studying the background data taken by the veto detector allowed a calculation of the neutron yield induced by high energy cosmic-ray muons in lead of (5.8 0.2) 10-3 neutrons/muon/(g/cm2) for a mean muon energy of 260 GeV. Measurements of this kind are of great importance for large scale direct dark matter search experiments and future rare event searches in general. Finally, this work includes a comprehensive measurement of the energy dependent quenching factor for low energy nuclear recoils in a plastic scintillator, such as from the ZEPLIN-III veto detector, increasing accuracy for future simulation packages featuring large scale plastic scintillator detector systems.

Research of the highest energy cosmic ray particles is in the middle of the interest of theoretical and experimental physics. Their energies are several orders of magnitude higher than energies accessible at present accelerators. In this work, the reconstruction techniques of extensive air showers measured at the Pierre Auger Observatory are studied. For this purpose, extensive air showers are modelled in the simulation tool CORSIKA. Data collected at the Pierre Auger Observatory together with simulations are used to calculate resolutions of reconstruction methods. The Multiple--eye reconstruction is the main interest of this work. It can be used for independent verification of experimental results of the Observatory.

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) is a high-energy particle physics detector operating on the International Space Station (ISS) since May 2011. Since its launch, the AMS-02 provided a large amount of data whose precision was never before achieved, opening a new path for the study of cosmic rays (CRs). The first published results of AMS-021-3 show tension with the current understanding of the cosmic ray theory, particularly at higher energies. These tensions are directly linked to many fundamental questions like the dark matter nature, the CR origin and their propagation through the galaxy. This work presents the measurement of the electron flux and the positron flux in primary cosmic rays, based on the data collected between May 2011 and November 2016, an extended data set with respect to the published AMS-02 results.3 The results extend the energy range explored up to 1 TeV for electrons and up to 700 GeV for positrons, being consistent with the published results when using the same data set. A discrepancy between the new measurement and the published flux is observed in the low energy region of the electron flux, while the positron flux is in good agreement. This can be explained by a charge dependent solar modulation effect. This hypothesis was investigated by studying the time evolution of the fluxes, focusing on the energy region below 40 GeV, where an electron and positron flux is computed over 74 time bins of 27 days width, corresponding to the suns rotation period as seen from the Earth. The time dependent analysis confirms hints of charge dependent solar modulation, that are also observed by other independent analysis that have been carried out in parallel within the collaboration. / O Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) é um experimento de física de partículas instalado na Estação Espacial Internacional (ISS) desde Maio de 2011. Desde seu lançamento, AMS-02 coleta uma quantidade de dados com tal precisão que até então nunca foram jamais vistos, abrindo o caminho para o estudo dos Raios Cósmicos (CRs). Os primeiros resultados publicados pelo AMS-021-3 apresentam tensões com o modelo atual da teoria de CRs, particularmente nas altas energias. Essas tensões são diretamente ligadas a diversas questões fundamentais como a natureza da Matéria Escura (DM), a origem dos CRs e suas propagações pela galáxia. Este trabalho apresenta a medição do fluxo de elétrons e pósitrons em CRs primários, baseando-se nos dados coletados entre Maio de 2011 e Novembro de 2016, período extendido com relação aos resultados públicados pelo AMS-02.3 Os resultados extendem o intervalo de energia explorado para 1 TeV para elétrons e 700 GeV ára pósitrons, consistentes com os resultados públicados usando o mesmo período. Discrepância entre a nova medição e o fluxo públicado é observada na região de baixas energias para o fluxo de elétrons, enquanto o fluxo de pósitrons continua em bom acordo. O resultado pode ser explicado por uma dependência na carga causada pela modulação solar. Tal hipótese é investigada estudando-se a evolução temporal dos fluxos, focando-se no intervao de energia abaixo de 40 GeV, onde um fluxo de elétrons e pósitrons é medido durante 74 intervalos temporais de 27 dias, correspondendo à rotação do sol vista da Terra. A análise dependente do tempo confirma a existência da dependência de carga da modulação solar, também observada por outras análises independentes que foram feitas dentro da colaboração.

Cette thèse est dédiée à la création d'un nouvel outil pour la mesure directionnelle du flux muonique basé sur une chambre de projection temporelle fine avec un plan de lecture Micromegas, afin d’obtenir un détecteur compact avec une résolution angulaire compatible avec les applications d’imagerie ou de monitoring en génie civil et géophysique. La principale motivation est de développer un détecteur capable de combler le vide technologique pour les applications ayant des contraintes d’encombrement et de transportabilité. Cette thèse fournit une revue des différentes technologies de détection de muons existantes et de leurs divers domaines d’application. Deux techniques de mesure de muons sont présentées : la muographie par transmission ou par diffusion. La muographie par transmission, mieux adaptée aux grandes cibles, est basée sur l'atténuation du flux naturel de muons cosmiques due à l'opacité des matériaux traversés. Cette technique passive et non-destructive fournit des informations originales qui pourront être intégrées dans une démarche d’imagerie. Le manuscrit présente la méthodologie utilisée pour la caractérisation du flux incident de muons à la fois en surface et dans des conditions souterraines. Une description détaillée des processus physiques déclenchés par le passage d'un muon à travers le détecteur est fournie. Les résultats des simulations des processus de formation du signal sont présentés et commentés pour justifier les choix du design des composants clés afin de répondre aux exigences de performance quant à résolutions temporelle, spatiale et angulaire. L'influence des paramètres opérationnels ou externes tels que le gain, la température ou la présence de contaminants est également traitée. La thèse étudie en détail les principales phases de conception et d'assemblage du détecteur MUST2, incluant (i) le design du plan de lecture Micromegas, (ii) le choix du gaz, (iii) le design d'un élément homogénéisateur de champ électrique (iv) le choix de l'instrumentation électronique et du signal de déclenchement associé au passage du muon, et (v) la création d'un système auxiliaire de gestion du gaz. La polyvalence du détecteur MUST2 a été prouvée avec l'utilisation réussie de différentes options de déclenchement et d’acquisition. Les données sont obtenues au travers d’un logiciel développé pour le système d’acquisition modulaire du CERN SRS, puis analysées avec un algorithme de reconstruction de la trajectoire, qui récupère le temps de passage, la position 2D, les angles zénith et azimut des muons qui traversent le détecteur. Les caractéristiques, les performances et les limites de la chaîne d'acquisition de données sont présentées et évaluées. Une série de directives visant à améliorer l’efficacité de la chaîne d'acquisition est proposée. Une série de tests de caractérisation a été effectuée dans différents environnements : faisceau contrôlé de muons, ciel ouvert, au fond d'une vallée et dans des conditions souterraines. Ces tests ont contribué à une meilleure compréhension des performances du détecteur et ont permis de régler ses paramètres opérationnels. Malgré les faibles statistiques des tests, les flux mesurés montrent une bonne corrélation avec les environnements ciblés. Une campagne de mesures en conditions réelles a été menée sur le barrage de Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt (Vaucluse). Les résultats expérimentaux obtenus, sont conformes aux valeurs anticipées par le modèle numérique, la transportabilité sur le terrain et la capacité à effectuer des mesures hors laboratoire à long terme ont été démontrées. En revanche, l’impact de la température externe sur l’acquisition des données devra être compensée pour obtenir une acquisition stable permettant de surveiller l’évolution temporelle du flux de muons. En conclusion, les bons résultats obtenus lors de ces tests permettent de valider la caméra MUST2 à des fins de muographie en transmission. / This thesis is dedicated towards the creation of a new direction-sensitive tool for muon flux measurement based on a thin time projection chamber with a Micromegas readout, to achieve a compact detector with an angular resolution compatible with civil engineering and geophysics imagery and monitoring applications. The main motivation is to develop a detector capable to fill the technological gap for applications with compactness and transportability constraints. The dissertation provides a review of the different existing muon detection technologies and their diverse fields of application. Two muon imaging techniques are introduced: transmission and scattering muography. Transmission muography, more suitable for big targets, is based on the attenuation of the natural-occurring cosmic-muon flux due to the opacity of the material they traverse. This non-destructive, passive technique provides original information that can be used for imaging purposes. The work covers the methodology used towards the characterization of the incidental muon flux both on the surface and in underground conditions. A detailed description of the physical processes triggered by the passage of a muon through the detector is provided. Results of the simulations of the signal formation processes are presented and discussed to justify the design choices of the key components so as to meet performance requirements in term of temporal, spatial and angular resolution. The influence of operational or external parameters such as the gain, temperature or presence of contaminants is covered as well. The thesis describes in detail the principal phases of design and assembly of the MUST2 detector, including: (i) the design of the Micromegas readout layout, (ii) the choice of gas, (iii) the conception of an electric field homogenizer, (iv) the choice of the electronics instrumentation and its trigger signal, and (v) the creation of an auxiliary system to manage the gas. The versatility of MUST2 has been proved with the successful use of different trigger options and electronics. The data is acquired by means of software developed for the CERN’s Scalable Readout System electronics and subsequently analyzed with a muon trajectory reconstruction algorithm, which retrieves the: time of passage, 2D position, zenith and azimuth angles of the muons traversing the detector. The characteristics, performance and limitations of the data acquisition chain are presented and evaluated, a series of guidelines towards the improvement of its efficiency of are provided. A series of characterization tests has been carried out in different environments: controlled muon beam, open sky, at the bottom of a valley and in underground conditions. These tests have enabled a better understanding of the performance of the detector and allowed to tune up its operational parameters. Despite the weak statistics of the test runs, the measured muon flux has shown a good correlation with the surrounding target volumes. A campaign of measurements in real field conditions has been carried out at the Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt (Vaucluse, France) dam. The experimental results obtained are in consonance with the values anticipated by the digital model, the field transportability and the capability to perform long-term out-of-lab measurements have been demonstrated. On the downside, the impact of the external temperature on the data acquisition should be balanced out to get a steady acquisition and monitor the temporal evolution of the muon flux. In conclusion, the successful proof-of-concept trial allows to validate the MUST2 camera for transmission muography purposes.

Orientador: José Augusto Chinellato / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-02T17:59:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kuno_YugoMafra_M.pdf: 3634635 bytes, checksum: afd1f210608c9cb926532d441cade068 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Resumo: O fluxo de raios cósmicos de ultra-alta energia (superiores a 10^18 eV) que chega ao topo da atmosfera é baixo, tal que torna-se necessário estudar em detalhes os chuveiros atmosféricos extensos de modo a se determinar a composição e a energia da partícula primária. Dispõe-se de algoritmos que simulam processos de QED e QCD, e descrevem a difusão das partículas na atmosfera, fornecendo o estado (x, p, id, t) de cada uma. Entretanto, é também necessário parametrizar as funções que descrevem sua distribuição ao longo da cascata atmosférica. O método da entropia máxima (MEM) permite que se parametrize a distribuição de partículas em função dos momentos estatísticos esses perfis, que são menos afetados pelo ruído. A maximização da entropia também permite que a distribuição seja inferida minimizando o enviesamento que ocorre, por exemplo, no ajuste de curvas tradicionalmente realizado. No presente trabalho foi estudada aplicação do MEM na análise do perfil longitudinal das componentes eletrônica e muônica geradas por simulação no CORSIKA, já conhecendo as características da partícula primária, de forma a avaliar os benefícios dessa metodologia no estudo de chuveiros atmosféricos / Abstract: The flux of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (above 10^18 eV) that reach the upper atmosphere is low, so that it is necessary to thoroughly study air showers in order to determine the composition and energy of the primary particle. There are algorithms that simulate QED and QCD processes, and track the particle diffusion in the atmosphere, providing the state (x, p, id, t) of each one. Still, it is also necessary to parameterize the functions that describe its distribution throughout the atmospheric cascade. The maximum entropy method (MEM) allows the parameterization of the particle distribution with the statistical moments as variables, which are less affected by noise. The maximum entropy also allows the inference of the distribution minimizing the bias, which is high in inference processes such as the traditional curve fitting. The application of MEM in the analysis of the longitudinal profile of the electronic and muonic components generated by simulation with CORSIKA was the object of study in this research work, having as a prior the characteristics of the primary particle, in order to evaluate the benefits of the method in the study of air showers / Mestrado / Física / Mestre em Física / CAPES

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) is a high-energy particle physics detector operating on the International Space Station (ISS) since May 2011. Since its launch, the AMS-02 provided a large amount of data whose precision was never before achieved, opening a new path for the study of cosmic rays (CRs). The first published results of AMS-021-3 show tension with the current understanding of the cosmic ray theory, particularly at higher energies. These tensions are directly linked to many fundamental questions like the dark matter nature, the CR origin and their propagation through the galaxy. This work presents the measurement of the electron flux and the positron flux in primary cosmic rays, based on the data collected between May 2011 and November 2016, an extended data set with respect to the published AMS-02 results.3 The results extend the energy range explored up to 1 TeV for electrons and up to 700 GeV for positrons, being consistent with the published results when using the same data set. A discrepancy between the new measurement and the published flux is observed in the low energy region of the electron flux, while the positron flux is in good agreement. This can be explained by a charge dependent solar modulation effect. This hypothesis was investigated by studying the time evolution of the fluxes, focusing on the energy region below 40 GeV, where an electron and positron flux is computed over 74 time bins of 27 days width, corresponding to the suns rotation period as seen from the Earth. The time dependent analysis confirms hints of charge dependent solar modulation, that are also observed by other independent analysis that have been carried out in parallel within the collaboration. / O Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) é um experimento de física de partículas instalado na Estação Espacial Internacional (ISS) desde Maio de 2011. Desde seu lançamento, AMS-02 coleta uma quantidade de dados com tal precisão que até então nunca foram jamais vistos, abrindo o caminho para o estudo dos Raios Cósmicos (CRs). Os primeiros resultados publicados pelo AMS-021-3 apresentam tensões com o modelo atual da teoria de CRs, particularmente nas altas energias. Essas tensões são diretamente ligadas a diversas questões fundamentais como a natureza da Matéria Escura (DM), a origem dos CRs e suas propagações pela galáxia. Este trabalho apresenta a medição do fluxo de elétrons e pósitrons em CRs primários, baseando-se nos dados coletados entre Maio de 2011 e Novembro de 2016, período extendido com relação aos resultados públicados pelo AMS-02.3 Os resultados extendem o intervalo de energia explorado para 1 TeV para elétrons e 700 GeV ára pósitrons, consistentes com os resultados públicados usando o mesmo período. Discrepância entre a nova medição e o fluxo públicado é observada na região de baixas energias para o fluxo de elétrons, enquanto o fluxo de pósitrons continua em bom acordo. O resultado pode ser explicado por uma dependência na carga causada pela modulação solar. Tal hipótese é investigada estudando-se a evolução temporal dos fluxos, focando-se no intervao de energia abaixo de 40 GeV, onde um fluxo de elétrons e pósitrons é medido durante 74 intervalos temporais de 27 dias, correspondendo à rotação do sol vista da Terra. A análise dependente do tempo confirma a existência da dependência de carga da modulação solar, também observada por outras análises independentes que foram feitas dentro da colaboração.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Physics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

A time-dependent two-dimensional (2D) modulation model including drifts, the solar wind tennination shock (TS) with diffusive shock acceleration and a heliosheath based on the Parker (1965) transport equation is used to study the modulation of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and the anomalous component of cosmic rays (ACRs) in the heliosphere. In particular, the latitude dependence of the TS compression ratio and injection efficiency of the ACRs (source strength) based on the hydrodynamic modeling results of Scherer et al. (2006) is used for the first time in a modulation model. The subsequent effects on differential intensities for both GCRs and ACRs are illustrated, comparing them to the values without a latitude dependence for these parameters. It is found that the latitude dependence of these parameters is important and that it enables an improved description of the modulation of ACRs beyond the TS. With this modeling approach (without fitting observations) to the latitude dependence of the two parameters, it is possible to obtain a TS spectrum for ACRs at a polar angle of B = 55" that qualitatively approximates the main features of the Voyager 1 observations. This positive result has to be investigated further. Additionally, it is shown that the enhancement of the cosmic ray intensity just below the cut-off energy found for the ACR at the TS in an A < 0 magnetic polarity cycle in the equatorial plane with the latitude independent scenario, disappears in this region when the latitude dependence of the compression ratio and injection efficiency is assumed. Subsequent effects of these scenarios are illustrated on the global anisotropy vector of both GCRs and ACRs as the main theme of this work. For this purpose the radial and latitudinal gradients for GCRs and ACRs were accurately computed. The radial and latitudinal anisotropy components were then computed as a function of energy, radial distance and polar angle. It is also the first time that the anisotropy vector is comprehensively calculated in such a global approach to cosmic ray modeling in the heliosphere, in particular for ACRs. It is shown that the anisotropy vector inside (up-stream) and outside (down-stream) the TS behaves in a complicated way, so care must be taken in interpreting it. It is found that the latitude dependence of the two mentioned parameters can alter the direction (sign) of the anisotropy vector. Its behaviour beyond the TS is markedly different from inside the TS, mainly because of the slower solar wind velocity, with less dependence on the magnetic polarity cycles. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The thesis investigates cosmic rays and their scattering in the atmosphere and the change in their intensity caused by the frequency of meteorological phenomenon. The main objective of the research is the change in cosmic rays as well as atmospheric pressure and estimation of their connection. A thorough analysis and interpretation allow to supplement meteorological information for weather forecasts. / Disertacijoje nagrinėjama kosminė spinduliuotė ir jos sklaida atmosferoje bei jos intensyvumo kaita, kurią lemią meteorologinių reiškinių dažnumas. Pagrindinis tyrimo objektas yra kietosios kosminės spinduliuotės ir atmosferos slėgio pokyčiai bei jų sąryšio įvertinimas. Kosminės spinduliuotės duomenų detali analizė ir interpretacija leidžia papildyti meteorologinę informaciją orų prognozei.