Detecting Primary Cosmic Rays

Physics and Astronomy REU

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Professor T. G. Guzik

I worked with three other undergraduate students on a project sponsored by Louisiana Aerospace Catalyst Experiences for Students (La ACES).   Over the course of two months, my group designed a balloon-flight payload to distinguish between hydrogen and helium primary cosmic rays. This payload consisted of two scintillators coupled with two PMTs to form a coincidence system.  Specifically, I was in charge of all the electronics in the payload, which entailed working closely with an electrical engineer to design and construct the coincidence circuit.