Prototype muon detectors for the AMIGA component of the Pierre Auger Observatory

THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION, INCLUYE S. MOLLERACH

JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION

IOP PUBLISHING LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 11

1748-0221

AMIGA (Auger Muons and Infill for the Ground Array) is an upgrade of thePierre Auger Observatory to extend its range of detection and todirectly measure the muon content of the particle showers. It consistsof an infill of surface water-Cherenkov detectors accompanied by buriedscintillator detectors used for muon counting. The main objectives ofthe AMIGA engineering array, referred to as the Unitary Cell, are toidentify and resolve all engineering issues as well as to understand themuon-number counting uncertainties related to the design of thedetector. The mechanical design, fabrication and deployment processes ofthe muon counters of the Unitary Cell are described in this document.These muon counters modules comprise sealed PVC casings containingplastic scintillation bars, wavelength-shifter optical fibers, 64 pixelphotomultiplier tubes, and acquisition electronics. The modules areburied approximately 2.25 m below ground level in order to minimizecontamination from electromagnetic shower particles. The mechanicalsetup, which allows access to the electronics for maintenance, is alsodescribed in addition to tests of the modules' response and integrity.The completed Unitary Cell has measured a number of air showers of whicha first analysis of a sample event is included here.