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Neutron Induced Backgrounds In the MIXE X-Ray Detector at Balloon AltitudesThe MIXE detector developed at NASA/MSFC is designed for x-ray astronomy and consists of a multiwire proportional counter sensitive to photons less than 150 keV. The detector has been flown on several balloon flights with higher than expected background levels observed. Previous predictions of the detector background due to atmospheric gamma-ray and cosmic diffuse sources were much less (factor of 3) than flight background measurements. The work reported here was undertaken to determine if the additional contribution from gamma-rays generated by albedo and cosmic-ray induced neutrons in the detector and payload assembly could account for the background levels observed. Monte Carlo nuclear interaction and radiation transport simulations were made for the ambient cosmic-ray environment corresponding to a previous MEE balloon flight at 3 g/cm(exp 2) residual atmosphere and 42 N geomagnetic latitude. The omnidirectional albedo neutron spectrum and the GCR proton spectrum which were used as input to the calculations are shown. For the albedo angular distribution, the predicted up/down flux ratio of 2.5 was used together with the angular dependence measured by Preszler, et al.
Document ID
19970026514
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Armstrong, T. W.
(Science Applications International Corp. Prospect, TN United States)
Colborn, B. L.
(Science Applications International Corp. Prospect, TN United States)
Dietz, K. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Ramsey, B. D.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Conference on the High Energy Radiation Background in Space
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Accession Number
97N25787
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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