Engineering topics

Dayton, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Dayton, B..

17 records

NASA NTRS1984

Gamma rays of 0.3-30 MeV from PSR0833 - 45

Pulsed gamma rays from the Vela pulsar PSR0833 - 45 are reported for the first time over the medium energy range 0.3-30 MeV. They were observed with a double scatter gamma-ray telescope flown on a balloon over Australia on Nov. 10, 1981, 31 days after a large glitch in the pulsar period. The first and second pulses were detected from single scatters in the top scintillators at energies over 0.3 MeV with statistical significances of 1.6 sigma each, and by double scatters from all detector cell pairs at energies of 1-30 MeV with significance of 4.8 sigma and 3.8 sigma. The phase separation of the two pulses is 0.43 + or - 0.02 at the same absolute phases previously found by SAS2 and COS B for energies over 35 MeV.

Tumer, O. T.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Gamma ray detection with long NaI/Tl/ scintillator bars

Test measurements with a prototype NaI(Tl) scintillator for energy, position, and timing measurements in gamma ray astronomy are reported. The scintillator bar is 100 x 5 x 5 cu cm in size, and allows detection of the arrival times and pulse heights of signals from two photomultiplier tubes, one at each end of the bar. Data is gathered on the energy loss, linear position, and time-of-flight of gamma ray interactions within the bar over an energy range of 0.5-20 MeV. A mean attenuation coefficient of 0.015/cm has been determined, as have a FWHM resolution of 5 cm, 9.4%, and 10 nsec at an energy of 0.662 MeV. At 1.25 MeV the timing resolution was 6 nsec, and at 6.13 MeV the spatial resolution was 2.2 cm. The instrument is a prototype of a Compton scatter telescope being constructed for two balloon flights, one each in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, in 1984.

Zych, A. D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Gamma rays of 1-30 MeV from the Vela Pulsar PSR 0833-45

Results are reported for observations of gamma rays of 1-30 MeV from the Vela Pulsar PSR 0833 - 45 carried out with the UCR double scatter gamma ray telescope on a balloon launched from Alice Springs, Australia on November 10, 1981. An integrated flux of (5.3 + or - 1.3) x 10 to the -4th photons/sq cm/s is found for the Vela region above 2 MeV. This value, together with those for the energy intervals of 2-4, 4-7, and 7-15 MeV are in reasonable agreement with the power law found by COS-B at energies above 50 MeV. A sky contour map of the fluxes is shown.

Tumer, T.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Gamma rays of 1-30 MeV from the Galactic Center Region

Preliminary results are reported for gamma rays from the Galactic Center Region at 1-30 MeV made with a balloon-borne double Compton scatter gamma ray telescope. The Compton scatter angle, energy, and arrival time of the incident gamma ray and direction of the Compton scattered secondary for downward-moving gamma rays were measured. The handling of the data is described, and the results of Monte Carlo simulation angular resolutions and absolute efficiencies for different zenith angles of incident gamma rays are given. A contour sky map of the weighted fluxes for a southern sky region is shown whose primary feature is a significant enhancement in the Galactic Center Region. It is concluded that several discrete sources contribute to broaden the maximum in the horizontal or RA direction. Less broadening is indicated along the galactic plane.

Oneill, T.↗

NASA NTRS1983

High sensitivity high resolution double scatter 1-30 MeV gamma ray telescope

The design and performance of the double-scatter 1-30-MeV gamma-ray telescope developed at the University of California for balloon-borne observations are reported and illustrated with drawings, diagrams, and graphs. The telescope comprises an upper array of 16 6.03 x 6.03 x 100-cm plastic scintillator bars viewed by photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) at both ends, a lower array (at 100-cm distance) of 16 4.83 x 4.83 x 100-cm NaI(Tl) bars viewed at both ends by PMTs, and four 122 x 122 x 0.64-cm plastic sheets viewed by four PMTs each as charged-particle anticoincidence shielding. The operating principle of the telescope, the tests conducted on the NaI(Tl) bars, the on-board data-processing electronics, and the overall performance are characterized. Performance parameters include area 1 sq m, field of view pi sr, 4-sigma sensitivity above 1 MeV 0.00004 gamma/sq cm sec over 25 h, angular resolution about 3.5 deg FWHM, and energy resolution 10 percent at 1 MeV and 6 percent at 6 MeV.

Zych, A. D.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Medium energy gamma ray astronomy with transpacific balloon flights

Transpacific balloon flights with the University of California, Riverside (UCR) double scatter telescope are discussed. With flight durations from 5 days up to perhaps 15 days the long observation times necessary for medium energy (1-30 MeV) gamma ray astronomy can be obtained. These flights would be made under the auspices of the Joint U.S.-Japan Balloon Flight Program at NASA. It is proposed that flights can provide at least 30 hours of observation time per flight for many discrete source candidates and 120 hours for detecting low intensity cosmic gamma ray bursts.

Zych, A. D.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Double Compton scatter telescope calibration

Calibration techniques for a medium energy gamma ray telescope are described. Gain calibration using Compton edge spectra involves comparisons of pulse height spectra with spectra simulated by a Monte Carlo computer code which includes Compton scattering and pair production, plural scattering and variable energy resolution, and cell size. The telescope considered comprises 56 cells of liquid scintillator in four size groups, with a total liquid volume of 325 l; each cell has its own photomultiplier tube. Energy and angular resolutions and the PMT gain calibration procedure are verified with double scatter data for monoenergetic gamma rays at a known location. Detection probabilities for any cell combination in the two telescope arrays are calculated per steradian as a function of the scattering for a number of different energies with a Van de Graaff accelerator.

Dayton, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Observation and search for gamma rays 1-20 MeV from the Crab, NGC 4151, Cyg X-1, Cyg X-3, CG 135+1 and 3C 273

Observations and limiting values for the flux of 1-20 MeV gamma rays from the Crab, the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151, the black hole candidate Cyg X-1, Cyg X-3 and the two nearest quasars CG 135+1 and 3C 273 are reported. Measurements of the energy and scatter angle of gamma rays at zenith angles between 10 and 30 deg were obtained by a balloon-borne double-scatter gamma-ray telescope. The flux from the Crab from 1.2 to 10 MeV is found to be 0.0039 + or - 0.0020 photons/sq cm per sec, and the energy distribution of the flux from 1.2 to 20 MeV is determined. Two-standard-deviation upper limits to the gamma-ray flux in the intervals 1.2-3, 3-5, 5-10 and 10-20 MeV of 0.0003, 0.0002, 0.00006 and 0.00004 photons/sq cm/sec are found for NGC 4151, Cyg X-1 and Cyg X-3, while those of 0.0005, 0.0003, 0.0001 and 0.00004 photons/sq cm per sec are determined for both quasars. These upper limits are interpreted as restricting confirmed gamma-ray sources to the Crab and NP 0532, and as evidence against Seyfert galaxies as the source of cosmic diffuse radiation.

White, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Observations of the Crab Nebula, NGC 4151, Cyg X1 and Cyg X3 at medium gamma ray energies

The paper analyzes observations of the Crab Nebula, NGC 4151, Cyg X1, and Cyg X3 taken with the UCR gamma ray telescope at a residual atmospheric depth of about 3.5 g/sq cm on a balloon launched from Palestine, Texas, 4.5 GV, 2000 local time LT (0100 UT), on September 29, 1978. The data consists of continuous observations from 0430 LT (0930 UT) on September 30 to 1800 LT (2300 UT) on October 1, 1979. A flux increase is observed at the right ascension of the Crab Nebula within about a 10 min uncertainty of telescope source position determination, eliminating the SAS-2, CG 195+4, and the two COS-B sources in the antigalactic center direction as the origin of the gamma rays. The total flux of gamma rays for the Crab Nebula from 1.2 to 10 MeV is (6.1 + or - 1.5) x 10 to the -3rd photons/sq cm-s, with an upper limit at 10-20 MeV of 7 x 10 to the -5th photons/sq cm-s. Results for the NGC 4151, Cyg X1, and Cyg X3 are also discussed and flux upper limits are given.

Zanrosso, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Search for broad gamma ray lines with the UCR double Compton scatter telescope

The operation of a double scatter telescope and the evaluation of data obtained during a 24 hour balloon flight are discussed. An increase in gamma rays was observed as the galactic anti-center crossed the aperature of the telescope. Searches for lines from p(n,gamma)d at 2.2 MeV, C-12* at 4.4 MeV and on -16* at 6.1 MeV and for other lines broadened or redshifted are being conducted to identify the processes responsible for the production of celestial gamma rays. Two upper limits for lines in the angalactic anti-center direction at 4.4 MeV and 6.1 MeV are 6 and 4 x 10 to the minus 4 power gamma/sq cm-s.

White, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Gamma-rays of 3 to 25 MeV from the galactic anti-center and pulsar NP 0532

Gamma-rays of 3 to 25 MeV are reported from the galactic anticenter region and the Crab Pulsar, NP 0532. The observations were carried out from Palestine, Texas, on May 13, 1975. Gamma-rays from the galactic anticenter were observed as the Crab Nebula passed overhead within 10 deg of the zenith. Pulsed gamma-rays from NP 0532 were observed at a 4.4-sigma significance level. The total flux from 3-25 MeV is 0.0049 + or - 0.002 photon/sq cm-sec. The pulsed flux from NP 0532 from 3 to 25 MeV is 0.00043 + or - 0.00026 photon/sq cm-sec. The ratio of the total to the pulsed flux from 3 to 25 MeV is 11 + or - 8.

Wilson, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Cosmic diffuse gamma-rays at medium energies

Cosmic diffuse gamma-ray fluxes have been measured in six energy intervals from 2 to 25 MeV with a balloon-borne gamma-ray telescope. It is found that the observed fluxes are compatible with an energy distribution of 0.0265 times E to the -2.08 (photon/sq cm-s-sr-MeV) at lower energies and steepen at higher energies to meet a power law of 0.017 (E/MeV) to the -2.4. No deviation of the gamma-ray flux from isotropy is observed for five different times during the balloon flight for 10-deg intervals up to 50 deg from the zenith and at celestial coordinates varying from latitude -27 deg, longitude 102 deg to latitude 56 deg, longitude 195 deg, excluding the region in the galactic-anticenter direction. Upper limits to fluxes of 3-25-MeV gamma rays are deduced for a number of possible galactic and extragalactic sources.

White, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Cosmic diffuse gamma rays from 2 to 25 MeV

Results are reported for measurements of cosmic diffuse gamma rays performed with a double Compton scatter gamma-ray telescope flows aboard a balloon at 3.5-g/sq cm residual atmosphere. The operation and calibration of the telescope are briefly reviewed, unwanted backgrounds are identified, and the only significant background for the telescope used is shown to arise from the interaction of albedo neutrons with hydrogen and carbon in one of the liquid scintillators. The fluxes of cosmic diffuse gamma rays with energies of 2 to 3, 3 to 5, 5 to 7, 7.5 to 10 MeV are listed, and upper limits are provided for energies of 10 to 15 and 15 to 25 MeV. These data are compared with numerous previous measurements, and no indication is found that the diffuse radiation is statistically different from isotropic. Upper limits are placed on the gamma-ray fluxes (mainly 3 to 25 MeV) from various localized sources.

White, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Atmospheric gamma ray angle and energy distributions from 2 to 25 MeV

Results are given for gamma ray fluxes in six energy intervals from 2-25 MeV and five zenith angle intervals from 0-50 deg (downward moving) and five from 130-180 deg (upward moving). Observations were obtained with the University of California, Riverside double Compton scatter gamma ray telescope flown on a balloon to a 3.0 g/sq cm residual atmosphere at a geomagnetic cuttoff of 4.5 GV. It was found that the angular distribution of downward moving gamma rays is relatively flat, increasing slowly from 10-40 deg. The angular distribution of the upward moving gamma rays at 4.2 g/sq cm increases with angle from the vertical. Energy distributions of upward and downward moving gamma rays are in good agreement with the results of previous studies.

Ryan, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A cosmic gamma-ray burst on 1975 May 14

A cosmic gamma-ray burst is described which was observed from a balloon with a double-scatter gamma-ray telescope. The observed burst had a rise time of about 0.15 sec, a duration of 0.11 sec, and variations on a time scale of 5 msec. The variations are shown to imply a maximum source dimension of 1500 km. The integral energy distribution of the burst is determined along with the total energy above 0.5 MeV. The direction of the source is found, with 90% confidence, to be limited to a circle with a radius of 25 deg centered at +39 deg galactic latitude and 40 deg galactic longitude. Two additional candidate bursts observed with the same telescope are briefly discussed.

Herzo, D.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A cosmic gamma-ray burst on May 14, 1975

A cosmic gamma-ray burst is reported that occurred at 29309.11 s UTC, May 14, 1975. The burst was detected at an atmospheric depth of 4 g/sq cm residual atmosphere with the University of California double scatter gamma-ray telescope launched on a balloon from Palestine, Texas at 1150 UTC, May 13, 1975. The burst was observed both in the single scatter mode by the top liquid scintillator tank in anti-coincidence with the surrounding plastic scintillator and in the double scatter mode from which energy and directional information are obtained. The burst is 24 standard deviations above the background for single scatter events. The total gamma-ray flux in the burst, incident on the atmosphere with photon energy greater than 0.5 MeV, is 0.59 + or - 0.15 photons/sq cm. The initial rise time to 90% of maximum is 0.015 + or - 0.005 s and the duration is 0.11 s. Time structure down to the 5 ms resolution of the telescope is seen. The mean flux over this time period is 5.0 + or - 1.3 photons/sq cm/s and the maximum flux is 8.5 + or - 2.1 photons/sq cm/s.

Herzo, D.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Large area double scattering telescope for balloon-borne studies of neutrons and gamma rays

A large area double scattering telescope for balloon-borne research is described. It measures the flux, energy and direction of 2-100 MeV neutrons and 0.5-30 MeV gamma rays. These measurements are made using time-of-flight and pulse height analysis techniques with two large tanks of mineral oil liquid scintillator. Results from Monte Carlo calculations of the efficiency, energy resolution and angular resolution are presented and the electronics implementation for the processing of 80 photomultiplier tubes signals will be discussed. The detector weighs 800 kg with a large part of this weight being the liquid scintillator (320 kg). It will be flown at 3 mbars for flight durations up to 40 hours. The first flight is planned for Spring, 1975.

Zych, A. D.↗