Unraveling the Cosmic-ray Spectrum: Measurements with high altitude Balloons
Patrick (Jojo) Boyle
McGill University
The balloon-borne cosmic-ray detector TRACER ("Transition Radiation
for Cosmic Radiation") was designed to measure cosmic-ray nuclei with
single element resolution up to high energies, and to facilitate a large
geometric aperture by utilizing a transition radiation detector. TRACER was
launched in two long-duration balloon flights, in Antarctica (2003), and
subsequently, after significant upgrades, from Kiruna, Sweden (2006). The
data cover the elements from boron (Z=5) to iron (Z=26), and reach energies
in excess of 1014 eV/ particle. The results provide constraints on the
elemental abundance and spectral slope at the cosmic-ray source and on
the propagation of cosmic rays through the interstellar medium.
Here, I will discuss what it takes to fly the largest and heaviest
cosmic-ray detector ever flown on a high-altitude balloon. I will present
new results on the abundance of secondary elements such as boron, and will
discuss our results with an eye on the recent gamma-ray measurements of
supernova remnants by FERMI and VERITAS. Finally, I will briefly discuss
the potential of the TRACER technique for future investigations.
Date: | Mardi, le 30 mars 2010 |
Heure: | 16:00 |
Lieu: | Université McGill |
| Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, R.E. Bell Conference Room (room 103) |
Contact: | Robert Rutledge |
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