C-ARAPUCA: a new Cherenkov radiation detector

• Grant number: 21/13538-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Anderson Campos Fauth
• Grantee: Anderson Campos Fauth
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Amélia Bergamini Machado ; Andre Fabiano Steklain Lisboa ; Ettore Segreto ; Francisco Itamarati Secolo Ganacim ; Jorge Andres Molina Insfran ; Marcio Rostirolla Adames ; Maria Cecilia Queiroga Bazetto ; Vinicius do Lago Pimentel

Abstract

In this scientific instrumentation project, we propose to develop and characterize an innovative photoelectronic device to record Cherenkov photons produced in water. We named this device C-ARAPUCA. This device will be installed on a Water-Cherenkov Detector specially built to study its performance. The operating principle of C-ARAPUCA is similar to that of X-ARAPUCA, that is, trapping photons in a reflector box until they are detected by silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). However, the energy spectrum of Cherenkov photons that we will use in C-ARAPUCA is completely different from the photon spectrum of liquid argon used in X-ARAPUCA. The development of a specific optics for the Cherenkov spectrum region of interest will be carried out. The success of this project will allow the use of the new Water-Cherenkov Detector in conducting new experiments in Astroparticle Physics with greater efficiency and lower cost. This new detector can be produced in Brazil using predominantly materials obtained in the national market. Among the various possible areas of application of this new detector is space weather. This area is of fundamental importance to the environment and to ensure the safety of modern media, as magnetic storms can cause damage and interruptions in data transmission systems, navigation and computer timing by electromagnetic signals from satellites. The development of C-ARAPUCA will be carried out in the new Laboratory of Léptons-UNICAMP. (AU)