High Energy Particle Detector

What is a High Energy Particle Detector?

In simple terms, it is a detector capable of measuring the energy and the number/ intensities of particles/ radiation that fall on it!

And what is space radiation?

Outside the protective cocoon of the Earth’s atmosphere is a universe full of radiation – it is all around us. Space radiation is different from the kinds of radiation we experience here on Earth, such as x rays or gamma rays. Space radiation is comprised of atoms in which electrons have been stripped away as the atom accelerated in interstellar space to speeds approaching the speed of light – eventually, only the nucleus of the atom remains.

Why do we want to detect high energy particles?

·         The study of the radiation/ High Energy Particle in the space environment is very vital for future satellite missions.

·         Studying some type of radiations could further the studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics

·         Detectors could also be used to study the relationship between seismic activity and the burst of high energy particles prior to it. ¹

·         There are an immense range of particles and electromagnetic radiation in the space environment, no one has studied them all.

·         Such small detectors that can be integrated into a satellite are available only for the past 6 to 7 years. This payload is therefore a very unique one compared to other university satellite projects.

Where do we go from here?

·         Find out what particles and radiation can be detected (within the constraints of a small satellite).

·         Find out what can be done with the data retrieved from the chosen range of particles/radiation.

·         Figure out a feasible design for the detector.

·         Go through the design stage, prototype and finally to the space-qualified detector.

·         Integrate it to the satellite and the other subsystems in it.

This payload is a very challenging one! (Such detectors have only been made with very experienced hands). But with the right guidance and the right range of radiation the mission will produce very useful results and very unique ones too! Enthusiasm in physics, a lot of patience and the confidence to do something that has never been done by students would help a lot. 

¹ One interesting phenomenon is the burst of some High Energy Protons and electrons identified due to interaction of ultralow-frequency electromagnetic emission of seismic origin and high energy particles of the radiation belt. The emission happens a few hours before the earthquake and propagates along the magnetic field lines into the magnetosphere. Who knows, if we study the right particles, we might be able to predict earth quakes at least an hour before they actually happen.