Commissioning of the ΔE-E LYCCA detector array

Abstract: LYCCA (Lund York Cologne CAlorimeter) is a versatile detector system which provides partial and residual energy measurements together with particle tracking and identification. The detector system consists of several different types of detectors such as DSSSDs (Double-Sided Silicon Strip Detector) and CsI(Tl) detectors. LYCCA was developed for the HISPEC/DESPEC (High-Resolution In-flight SPECtroscopy/DEcay SPECtrocsopy) program within the NUSTAR (NUclear STructure, Astrophysics and Reactions) collaboration. The purpose of this bachelor project is to commission and test a part of the LYCCA detector system, the LYCCA ΔE-E telescopes. The ΔE-E telescope consists of a DSSSD and nine CsI(Tl) crystals. These telescopes are used to track and identify relativistic and charged particles. The individual detectors of the ΔE-E telescope are tested separately. The DSSSDs are tested with respect to energy spectrum, energy resolution and dead layer thickness. The CsI(Tl) detectors are tested with respect to energy spectrum. Both detector types are tested using a Th-228 α-source. The underlying physics of the two detectors is explained together with the setup and procedure used for the test measurements. Furthermore, the obtained results and data analysis are presented. The energy resolution of the DSSSDs was found to be between 0.49-0.77% at 8685 keV for α-particles. The dead layer thickness of the DSSSDs was estimated to be on the order of 1 μm silicon equivalent. The CsI(Tl) detector shows satisfactory results for low energy α-particles, as the main peaks of the energy spectrum are visible.