A new transition radiation detector for cosmic ray nucleiTest measurements on materials for transition radiation detectors at a low Lorentz factor are reported. The materials will be based on board Spacelab-2 for determining the composition and energy spectra of nuclear cosmic rays in the 1 TeV/nucleon range. The transition radiation detectors consist of a sandwich of radiator-photon detector combinations. The radiators emit X-rays and are composed of polyolefin fibers used with Xe filled multiwired proportional chamber (MWPC) detectors capable of detecting particle Lorentz factors of several hundred. The sizing of the detectors is outlined, noting the requirement of a thickness which provides a maximum ratio of transition radiation to total signal in the chambers. The fiber radiator-MWPC responses were tested at Fermilab and in an electron cyclotron. An increase in transition radiation detection was found as a square power law of Z, and the use of six radiator-MWPC on board the Spacelab-2 is outlined.
Document ID
19820039307
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Lheureux, J. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Meyer, P. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Muller, D. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Swordy, S. (Chicago, University Chicago, IL, United States)