Observation and research on cosmic ray muons and solar modulation effect based on plastic scintillator detector
Abstract
Cosmic rays, originating from stars, supernovae, and other astrophysical sources, are composed of high-energy particles that enter Earths atmosphere. Upon interaction with atmospheric nuclei, these primary cosmic rays generate secondary particles, including neutrons, electrons, and muons, with muons constituting a dominant component at ground level. Muons, due to their relative abundance, stability, and well-characterized energy loss mechanisms, serve as critical probes for investigating the fundamental properties of cosmic rays. Studies of muon energy distribution, diurnal anisotropy, and their modulation by solar activity provide critical insights into the mechanism of particle acceleration in cosmic ray sources and the effects of solar and atmospheric.This study aims to characterize the counting spectra and anisotropic properties of cosmic ray muons by using a plastic scintillator detector system. The experiment was conducted over a three-month period, from December 2023 to February 2024, leveraging long-bar plastic scintillator detectors equipped with dual-end photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and a high-resolution digital data acquisition system. A dual-end coincidence measurement technique was used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio by suppressing thermal noise and other background interferences. Diurnal variations in muon count rates exhibit a pronounced pattern, with a systematic reduction occurring between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. This phenomenon is attributed to the solar shielding effects, where enhanced solar activity during daytime hours modulates the flux of galactic cosmic rays reaching Earths surface. The study further corroborates these findings through cross-comparisons with data from the Yangbajing Cosmic Ray Observatory. These observations underscore the robustness of the plastic scintillator detector system for capturing detailed muon spectra and anisotropic patterns.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2507.03282,
title = {Observation and research on cosmic ray muons and solar modulation effect based on plastic scintillator detector},
author = {Wang Dexin and Zhang Rui and Yu Dekang and Na Hui and Yao Zhangha and Wu Linghe and Zhang Suyalatu and Liang Tairan and Huang Meirong and Wang Zhilong and Bai Yu and Huang Yongshun and Yang Xue and Zhang Jiawen and Liu Mengdi and Ma Qiang and Yu Jing and Ji Xiuyan and Yu Yiliqi and Shao Xuepeng},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.03282},
year = {2025}
}