LEAPS-MPS: Development, Design and Construction of DUCK (Detector of Unusual Cosmic-Ray CasKades)

目前高能物理(HEP)领域正在研究的一个大谜团是超高能宇宙线(UHECR)的起源和性质。它们来自宇宙深处，与地球大气层相互作用，从一个能量巨大的单个粒子繁殖到能量低得多的数十亿个粒子，造成科学家所说的大范围大气阵雨(EAS)。HEP和整个科学界目前面临的另一个挑战是培养和培训新一代有能力的科学家来调查当前的谜团并发现新的谜团。当EAS到达地球表面时，它的形状是一个不同厚度的圆盘，类似于放大镜--中心更厚，边缘逐渐变细。这项提议的主要目标是开发一种能够记录高速数字化的宇宙线事件的快速探测器系统。根据这些数据，可以研究圆盘厚度的信息，以改进现有的EAS模拟软件，以及开发和改进现有的数据分析方法，以便我们可以知道粒子的起源、它的能量和它的物种(即，它是中子、质子还是某种元素的原子核)。此外，探测器的能力将有助于搜索新类型的EAS，如CREDO合作提出的宇宙射线系综，并有助于确认Horizon-T合作观察到的不寻常事件。本科生在支持和监督下参与这些活动，将为未来的科学家提供培训，使用多个主题的真实实验将为支持在数学和物理科学中代表性不足的群体的不同学生群体提供动手研究经验。这项提议的目的是启动可扩展的物理学研究项目，随后可以扩展。该项目的目标将是开发、设计、建造和部署DARK(异常宇宙射线级联探测器系统)的核心模块。DARK项目的主要科学意义将是增加具有不同触发可能性的EAS事件的高速全波长记录能力，对这些能力的分析将有助于：使用全波形和探测器响应宽度进行一般EAS事件分析方法，CORSIKA模拟开发和检查当前和即将发布的版本(7和8)，用于整体宇宙线通量和空间气象监测，通过CREDO合作搜索宇宙线群，以及独立核查Horizon-T探测器系统对“异常”宇宙线事件的探测。该项目将涉及计算机模拟活动、设计和建造、数据采集系统设计、数据收集和分析，不仅允许攻读物理的学生参与，还包括其他STEM领域的学生，如化学、工程和计算机科学。该项目将扩展克莱顿州立大学(CSU)的研究潜力和设施。这将是对第一代大学生的强有力的制度支持和鼓励，他们从CSU毕业后通常很少有家人支持他们去研究生院。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

A large mystery that is currently being investigated by the High Energy Physics (HEP) field is the origin and the nature of the Ultra-high energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR). Coming from deep within the Universe, they interact with Earth’s atmosphere and multiply from a single particle with enormous energy to billions of particles with much lower energy, causing what scientists call Extensive Atmosphere Showers (EAS). Another current challenge in HEP and science in general is raising and training new generations of capable scientists to investigate the current mysteries and discover new ones. The shape of the EAS when it reaches the planet’s surface is a disk of varying thickness, similar to magnifying glass – thicker in the center and tapering towards the edges. The main goal of this proposal is to develop a fast-speed detector system that is capable of recording cosmic ray events, digitized at high speed. From that data, the information of the disk thickness can be studied for the purpose of improving current EAS simulation software as well as developing and improving the existing methods for analyzing the data so that we can tell the origin of the particle, its energy, and its species (i.e., was it a neutron, a proton, or a nucleus of some element). Additionally, the capabilities of the detector will assist in the search for the new types of the EAS, such as Cosmic Ray Ensembles proposed by CREDO collaboration, and in the confirmation of the Unusual Events that were observed by the Horizon-T collaboration. Participation of undergraduate students in these activities with support and supervision will provide the training for the future scientists using the real experiment in multiple topics will provide hands-on research experience for a diverse student population supporting the groups underrepresented in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences.The intent of this proposal is to initiate the scalable research project in physics that can be subsequently extended. The project goal will be the development, design and construction and deployment of core modules of DUCK (Detector system of Unusual Cosmic-ray casKades). The main scientific importance for the DUCK project will be adding the capabilities of the high-speed full wavelength recording of the EAS events with different trigger possibilities, analysis of which would contribute: to general EAS event analysis methodology using the full waveform and detector response width, to CORSIKA simulation development and check of the current and upcoming versions (7 and 8), to the overall cosmic ray flux and space weather monitoring, to the search for the Cosmic Ray Ensembles by CREDO collaboration, and to an independent verification of the detection of the ‘unusual’ cosmic ray events by the Horizon-T detector system. The project will involve computer simulation activities, design and construction, data acquisition system design, data collection and analysis, allowing participation of students pursuing not only physics but also other STEM fields, such as Chemistry, Engineering and Computer Science. The project will extend the research potential and facilities at Clayton State University (CSU). This would serve as strong institutional support and encouragement of first-generation college students for whom there is often little family support for going to graduate schools after graduation from CSU.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.