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

THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION.; S. J. SCIUTTO

JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION

IOP PUBLISHING LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 11 p. 2012 - 2012

1748-0221

AMIGA (Auger Muons and Infill for the Ground Array) is an upgrade of the PierreAuger Observatory to extend its range of detection and to directly measure the muon content ofthe particle showers. It consists of an infill of surface water-Cherenkov detectors accompaniedby buried scintillator detectors used for muon counting. The main objectives of the AMIGAengineering array, referred to as the Unitary Cell, are to identify and resolve all engineering issuesaswell as to understand the muon-number counting uncertainties related to the design of the detector.The mechanical design, fabrication and deployment processes of the muon counters of the UnitaryCell are described in this document. These muon counters modules comprise sealed PVC casingscontaining plastic scintillation bars, wavelength-shifter optical fibers, 64 pixel photomultiplier tubes,and acquisition electronics. The modules are buried approximately 2.25m below ground level inorder to minimize contamination from electromagnetic shower particles. The mechanical setup,which allows access to the electronics for maintenance, is also described in addition to tests of themodules? response and integrity. The completed Unitary Cell has measured a number of air showersof which a first analysis of a sample event is included here.