Implementation of techniques for background reduction in low-energy gamma ray telescopes

dc.creatorMoss, Michael Jamiesonen_US
dc.date.accessioned2007-05-09T18:26:20Zen_US
dc.date.available2007-05-09T18:26:20Zen_US
dc.date.issued1995en_US
dc.description.abstractPrometheus I, a low-energy ($\sim$0.06-12.0 MeV), balloon-borne gamma ray telescope has been developed and successfully flown. It consists of a central NaI(Tl) detector that is segmented into an array of 9 x 9 crystals and an active anticoincidence shield of thick plastic scintillator. Implemented on Prometheus are several background reduction techniques which allow it to be 10 times more sensitive to aperture gamma rays than previous generations of low-energy gamma ray telescopes. First, a $\beta$ ray rejection method is used. Next, a low-Z shield minimizes cosmic ray activation. Also layers of Li$\sp6$ absorb slow neutrons, thereby reducing background caused from inelastic neutron scattering and neutron capture. Finally the use of lightweight, low-Z construction materials minimizes locally produced background. Semi-analytical calculations and preliminary in-flight count rate data confirm the usefulness of these techniques.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS SP. SCI. 1995 MOSSen_US
dc.identifier.citationMoss, Michael Jamieson. "Implementation of techniques for background reduction in low-energy gamma ray telescopes." (1995) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13992">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13992</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/13992en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectOpticsen_US
dc.titleImplementation of techniques for background reduction in low-energy gamma ray telescopesen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentSpace Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen_US
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