MONeutron
General Information
Category
MONeutron is a ground-level neutron monitor design for studying cosmic rays and fluxes of solar energetic particles at the Earth’s surface related to solar activity and cosmic rays reaching the atmosphere. It is a compact instrument measuring the flux of primary and secondary neutrons at the ground level on the site of IM@IT’ Unit University of Rome Tor Vergata, collecting data that can be used by the Neutron Space Weather (NSW) and airborne radiation modeling. Extreme space weather due to the sun and its impact on the aging human body, and biological and electronic systems. MONeutron registers a constant feed of neutron data in real-time produced by the extreme NSW due to the potentially hazardous solar activity, collected view from Earth and space, in mixed radiation environments, as well as current and future human explorers, unshielded by Earth’s magnetic field and vulnerable.
Tecnical description
The neutron compact monitor at Unit UTOV is part of a network of the same class of monitors operating at different altitudes and latitudes, and in space. • 6 x 3He detector (2m long, 1” diameter, 4 atm, helium-3 tubes) • 2 x High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) moderator material, modular in design, to part establish 1 off 6-way 3He detector assembly • 1 x Two-input junction box/amplifier • 1 x Mirion signal aggregator and de-randomiser assembly • 1 x CAEN R7780 data acquisition module (Shift Register Multiplicity and Time Recorder) • 1 x Lead Shield frame
Research areas and applications
The combination of better understanding of cause (neutron Ground Level Enhancements) and effect (through irradiation studies) of ESW on electronic systems at the ground will enable our society to be more resilient to the potential large-scale disruptions from such neutron space weather events. Challenges (Health, Digital, Security (improving and protecting health and well-being; health technologies and tools; technologies and digital solutions for health and care; Health Space, materials, coatings and electronic components qualification; Development and verification of a new class of neutron detectors)
Science highlights
Experimental team
- Triestino Minniti
- NAST Centre - University of Rome Tor Vergata
- Researcher
- Giovanni Romanelli
- NAST Centre - University of Rome Tor Vergata
- Researcher
- Virginia Pietrosanti
- NAST Centre - University of Rome Tor Vergata
- PhD student