Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics
Lomonosov Moscow State University

Laboratory of space detectors simulation

Laboratory of space detectors' simulation (LSDS) was organized in 2005. It is headed by Professor DSc. Vladimir Galkin.

According to the name of the Laboratory basic direction of its activity concerns simulation of space detectors of both ground-based and portable (mobile) types in order to determine their properties, to process incoming data, to develop new detectors and new methods for detection of cosmic particles and phenomena caused by them (like Auger showers).

In experimental projects in space physics and cosmic rays physics as in elementary particles physics and many other areas which need complicated and indirect measurements it is supposed to simulate a process of interaction of the particles or radiation with detector. Without this simulation interpretation of the results of the measurements is very difficult or even impossible. Therefore the scientists of the Laboratory take part in several projects concerning registration of space particles and radiation of different energy. In this case simulation of the detectors is only one of current tasks, but its solution provides folowing possibilities:
- development (planning, designing) of a new detector or instrument (detecting system);
- optimization of detector/detecting system for specified physical tasks;
- processing and itnerpreting of experimental data;
- development of new experimental methods based on numeric experiments.

Often the scientists of the Laboratory get requests from their collegues from other departments and laboratories of the Institute concerning simulation of their detector's response to the given influnce. In fact, it's a way of studying of the detector.

The scientists of the Laboratory cooperate with their colleagues from other SINP departments, recently - with the researchers from P.N.Lebedev Physical Institute RAS.

The basic results of the Laboratory obtained in satellite projects:
- simulation of operation of SONG telescope (CORONAS-F). This study resulted in spectra of gamma-quanta for colar events;
- geometric factor of ELECTRON-PESCA instrument (CORONAS-PHOTON), which are currently used in SINP database;
- simulation of BDRG instrument for LOMONOSOV mission;
- simulation of GAMMASCOPE detector of gamma-bursts;
- analysis of possible configurations for INTERSONG detector for INTERHELIOZOND mission.

The results of the Laboratory obtained in fround-based studies:
- SPHERE2 - optical telescope for registration of Cherenkov light produced by Auger showers, reflected from the surface of Baikal lake covered with snow. The telescope is elevated on the balloon to the altitude of 400-1000 meters at night. Registration method is based on statistical simulation (Monte-Carlo method) of Cherenkov light produced by Auger showers and analysis of its distribution on the snw coverage. Basing on this calculations a procedure for experimental data processing in order to obtain basic parameters of the shower (energy, direction of arrival and mass of the primary particle) was developed;
- a new project of a complex "PAMIR-XXI" intended for registration of Auger showers in the Eastern Pamir mountains. In summer 2012 a good experimental site was found at the altitude of 4250 meters above sea level, a new road to it is already opened and construction of living quarters and service facilities is started. The Laboatory is still single participant of the project which provide necessary calculations. Currently the basic parameters of the central calorimeter of the future unit and its Cherenkov part - a net of fast optical detectors and a group of Cherenkov telescopes - are determined by means of simulation. It was shown that the offered scheme of the optical part will provide unparalleled sensitivity to the primary particle mass and it will allow to come close to the solution of the classical problem of cosmic rays - their mass composition - in the energy range 10¹⁵ - 10¹⁷ eV.

Another direction of the Laboatory's activity is development of physical basis to microdosimetry monitoring of radiation fields onboard spacecrafts. It may lead to revaluation of existed and development of new methods of calculation of radiation risk and radiation protection of the equipment and biological objects both in space and on the Earth (in the dangerous areas of reactors, accelerators and under nuclear war conditions).

In order to carry out "PAMIR-XXI" experiment specialists will be needed, therefore currently the scientists of the Laboratory invite students to participate in this project. At present several persons from Tadjik National University are trained in the Laboratory.