Cosmic ray detection with fluorescent tubes

Science
Cosmic ray detection with fluorescent tubes

diycosmicraydetector1_cc.jpg
cosmicraydetector2_cc.jpg

Robert Hart is developing his own cosmic ray detector using familiar fluorescent tubes and a high voltage(~650V DC) power supply. The design is a variation on an example from CERN researcher Sascha Schmeling’s DIY Spark Chamber

Like the CERN example above, when a muon flys through the fluorescent tube, the gas inside ionizes due to the high voltage field across the plates. As a result of the ionization the resistance across the plates will fall slightly and so it should be possible to measure this as a change in current flow in the high voltage source.

cosmicraydetectiondiagram_cc.jpg

Radiation originating from Earth will effect the first tube but not the one below it. So singling out matching events between the two should result in the detection of high energy particles sent from a cosmic event — awesome. Head over to Robert’s site for more info on his process and progress. [via Little-Scale]

From the pages of MAKE:

Build a cloud chamber 
Volume 09, page 156

5 thoughts on “Cosmic ray detection with fluorescent tubes

  1. emperor osuloye shola says:

    Wow sir robert! Ure workin exceedinly can u put me thru more on d side effect of ds cosmic ray since it has d highest wavelenght amoung d electronics spectrum even dan gamma ray.pls wat would tend to hapen when/if dis ray hit d earth…and pls has it has any effect on other planet other dan earth in which livin organism exist?thanks

  2. Robert says:

    I’m now using gieger tubes http://www.hardhack.org.au/cosmicpixel

    I’ve moved away from using florescent tubes due to instability issues. However one of the very best websites I have found on working Fluorescent Tube cosmic ray detectors is http://www.astroparticelle.it if you are interested in this type of design you could do no better.

  3. ray ban glasses says:

    ray ban glasses

  4. oreasposa l672 says:

    oreasposa l672

    women louis vuitton epi leather brea gm ivory m40334 cosmobella 7654 cheap salomon outban low uk womens outdoor trainers skyblue nike air max 90 hyperfuse prm negro amarillo gris nike roshe run slip on suede red white trainers pronovias adela sweethear…

  5. belts 324 hermes says:

    belts 324 hermes

    essense of australia d1357 wedding gown with chapel train a line natural waist sweet allure 2550 strapless empire waist organza crystal embroidery nike free run 3 mujer running gris azul silver christian ever 100mm louboutin souris oakley eyepatch whit…

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK