Dr Maria Pavlidou
Introduction
This chapter describes the steps required to assemble and set up a HiSPARC detector. A single detector consists of two rectangular scintillators, two triangular scintillators called light-guides, two terminal blocks and two Photo-Multiplier Tubes (PMT) (see Figure 2.1). The system is connected to a HiSPARC box which receives the two analogue signals from the PMTs and converts them to digital format, a GPS which is connected to the box and records the exact position of the detector and a computer that receives locally and sends the collected data via the internet. There are two cables connecting the PMT to the box, one which carries the output signal from the PMT to the box and the other for the High Voltage supply.
Detector assembly phase 1 (indoors, around 4 hours)
On the first phase of the construction procedure, both scintillators and light guides are cleaned with alcohol first, then partly wrapped in aluminium foil and black lightproof film (a thick, black pond-liner) and are glued together. Before the glue is applied, it is important to remove all air from it; this can be done by stirring the two parts of the glue very slowly and letting the mix sit for 20 mins before application. The terminal block is also glued at the narrow end of the light guide. The completed units are then left for a minimum of 48 hours for the glue to dry.
A. Materials List
These are the materials needed for phase 1:
Scintillator plate
Light guide
Terminal block and PMT
GPS
HiSPARC box
Computer
