Neutron and gamma-ray fluxes measured by SciCRT prototype at the top of Sierra Negra volcano, Mexico

Abstract

The mini-SciCR is a cosmic ray detector, it is made of scintillator bars with a total volume of 20 x 20 x 20.8 $cm^{3}$. The array of scintillator bars act both as a target and as a tracker of the incident radiation. In this paper we describe the method developed with the help of a Monte Carlo simulation to distiguish the neutron signals from gamma ray signals, it is based on the different maximum energy deposited at a scintillator bar by neutrons and gamma rays. To distiguish the neutral emission signals (neutrons and gamma rays) from charged particles signals, we implemented via software a system of anti-coincidence between edge bars and internal bars of the detector. We also report the flux of neutrons and gamma rays measured by the mini-SciCR at the top of the Sierra Negra volcano at 4,600 m.a.s.l., in Eastern Mexico. The mini-SciCR was operating from October 2010 to July 2012. We also present the Forbush decrease registered by the mini-SciCR on march, 2012. The mini-SciCR is a prototype of a new cosmic ray detector called SciBar Cosmic Ray Telescope installed in the same place, which is in the process of operation parameter tuning and calibration. The SciCRT will work mainly as a Solar Neutron and Muon Telescope.