FIT2015 third weekly report 7/10/15
What did you do this week?:
On Monday we continued our work on trying to find acceptable paddles. When we changed the cable that connected the paddles to the PDU we seem to have found the problem. Now that we have a new cable and the paddles seem to be working better, we only need to fine tune the voltage for optimum rate counts and histogram performance study.
Since we still have a bad DAQ, Devon and I tried to switch out cables and everything else to see if it was truly the DAQ or another piece of equipment. We ran a count for each items being tested.
Two projects are currently running. The first is dew point comparison to Muon flux and the second is the comparing the UV index to Muon flux.
Why did you do that?:
To identify and pin-point the problem with the DAQ, the entire system was broken down into individual parts or components. These components are: DAQ, each paddle (scintillator), Cables from each paddle to the DAQ, Power supply, Cables from each paddle to the PDU, GPS, and the Cable from the DAQ to the PDU.
Since the students were introduced to a concept that large paddles might be placed underwater to remove noise and get better muon counts, the idea we constructed to compare atmospheric water (moisture) to Muon Flux. The idea was based on the fact that a large column of water (moisture) may interfere with the flux rate.
What are you doing next?:
After collecting 94 samples of data, there does appear to be a negative correlation between atmospheric water and muon flux. Next the students would like to seal and place the paddles underwater or surrounded them with aquariums filled with water.
Why are you doing that?:
By placing the paddles in water or surrounded by aquariums filled with water, we hope to see a reduction of background noise and a better muon flux rate. This will lead to testing paddles separately, paddles together, and varying depth to reduce even more noise.