Whats happening on the Bench top

"Hardware Hacking" is a term referring to either the modification, cannibalization or combination of new and/or old technologies to create something different, in order to solve a problem, affordable, convey an idea, art, experiment, tinkering or just for the fun.

Cosmic Ray (Muon) 81 (9x9) Pixel Hodoscope

Tue, 11/29/2011 - 15:53 — admin

In this design 9 Geiger–Müller Tubes are arranged side by side and then another 9 below at right-angles to form X and Y coordinates.

When a Cosmic Ray (muon) passes through the two layers and a coincidence is measured the output can be registered in one of 81 sectors (or pixels).  Radiation shielding will be used between the two layers to reduce the probability of false coincidence detections caused from local terrestrial radiation in and around the detectors.

Matrix of GM Tubes

 

Cosmic Ray (Muon) Geiger–Müller Hodoscope

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 21:47 — admin

This project is to see if a multilayered array of Geiger–Müller Tubes (GMT) can track ionizing particles as they pass through.  The result is an interesting display demonstrating how cosmic rays travel down through the atmosphere at different angles.

Called a Hodoscope (from the Greek "hodos" for way or path, and "skopos:" an observer) it is a type of detector commonly unsed in particle physics that make use of an array of detectors to determine the trajectory of an energetic particle.

 
In the vidoe random flashes are the result of background radiation in and around the GMTs but when you see a line of 3 or more simultaneous flashes these are the result of a muon (cosmic ray) passing though.  Audio is the result of a voltage summing circuit. The louder the pop the more GMTs have been triggered simultaneously. Note this video is done without any coincidence detection circuits.
 

Cosmic Ray Neutron Monitor

Sat, 04/21/2012 - 22:08 — admin

Using a neutron detector to measure cosmic rays may sound odd, but this has been a common way to measure the level of cosmic ray levels since 1948. This is because if the primary cosmic ray that starts a cascade has an energy well over 500 MeV, and so many of its secondary by-products will be neutrons that will reach ground where they can be detected.  These systems are commonly called Neutron Monitors

Russian Neutron Pulse Corona boron Counter SI-19N

Recently some Russian Boron Coated Cathode Corona Pulse Neutron Tubes (SI-19N) became available on ebay at low cost and so I thought I'd see if I could also make one these guys.

Cosmic Ray (Muon) Detector using Si Pin Photodiode

Sun, 01/08/2012 - 11:25 — admin

A Silicon Pin Photo-diode like the VBPW34FAS has been successfully used for the detection of Gamma Radiation and so in theory should also detect Cosmic Rays (Muons).  However, one very big drawback is their very small surface area. This is further complicated as they cannot easily be wired in parallel without decreasing sensitivity due to their inherent capacitance.

Cosmic Ray Draft Mechanical Layout

Experimentation has shown that 8 x photo-diodes can be paralleled before the problem becomes too over whelming.  This experiment will also use lead shielding to take advantage of electromagnetic cascade which can increase the aperture of a detector by allowing coincidence to be measured between individual detectors laying side by side and so providing a surface area of 16 x VBPW34FAS spaced apart evenly.

Adelaide Hackerspace

Thu, 01/28/2010 - 16:13 — admin

Wikipedia defines a Hackerspace as a physical place where people with common interests in science, technology, digital or electronic art meet to socialise and collaborate.

If you're interested in technology and having a place to go to make stuff and meet other people making stuff in Adelaide come along to a hacksession, or visit the website hackerspace-adelaide.org.au or Facebook Page and join the mail list at Google Group Hackerspace Adelaide.

ASSA Radio Astronomy Group

Sat, 12/05/2009 - 06:17 — admin

The ASSA Radio Astronomy Group is a special interest group which I have become a member within the Astronomical Society of South Australia.

The aim of the group is to facilitate and encourage the sharing of skills, ideas, techniques and knowledge resources for people interested in radio astronomy.

Read more...

Air-Stream Wireless

Mon, 12/01/2008 - 14:15 — admin

Air-Stream Wireless is a non-profit community group who use wireless in combination with free and open source technologies to deploy a Wide Area Network (WAN) that supports community participation, local content and communications.

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