Search for magnetic monopoles with nuclear track detectors

This paper describes an experimental search for GUT magnetic monopoles in the MACRO experiment using the nuclear track subdetector CR39. After discussing the working principle, the charge resolution and the calibration of the detector, the experimental procedure for searching for magnetic monopoles is described. Since no candidates were found, the upper flux limits obtained by the MACRO CR39 used as a "stand alone detector" for magnetic monopoles of different magnetic charges are presented.Comment: 4 pages, 7 EPS figures included with epsfig, uses espcrc2.sty Talk given at the Sixth Topical Seminar on Neutrino and Astroparticle Physics, San Miniato, Italy, 17-21 May 199

Monopole track characteristics in plastic detectors

Total and restricted energy loss rates were calculated for magnetic monopoles of charge g = 137 e in Lexan polycarbonate. Range-energy curves are also presented. The restricted energy loss model is used to estimate the appearance of a monopole track in plastic detectors. These results should be useful for the design and analysis of monopole experiments

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS): search for antimatter and dark matter on the International Space Station

The AMS is a state of the art detector for extraterrestrial study of antimatter, matter and missing matter. After a precursor flight on STS91 in May 1998, AMS will be installed on the International Space Station where it will operate for three years. In this paper the AMS experiment is described and is physics potential reviewed.Comment: Invited talk to S. Miniato 1997, to be published on N.I.M., 8 pages 7 figures, LATEX, espcvc2.sty include

Charge Determination of High Energy Electrons and Nuclei by Synchrotron Radiation with AMS

We investigate the possibilities to identify the charge of TeV electrons and PeV nuclei using their synchrotron radiation in the earth's magnetic field. Characteristics of synchrotron radiation photons are evaluated and methods of detection are discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Adaptive Controller Placement for Wireless Sensor-Actuator Networks with Erasure Channels

Wireless sensor-actuator networks offer flexibility for control design. One novel element which may arise in networks with multiple nodes is that the role of some nodes does not need to be fixed. In particular, there is no need to pre-allocate which nodes assume controller functions and which ones merely relay data. We present a flexible architecture for networked control using multiple nodes connected in series over analog erasure channels without acknowledgments. The control architecture proposed adapts to changes in network conditions, by allowing the role played by individual nodes to depend upon transmission outcomes. We adopt stochastic models for transmission outcomes and characterize the distribution of controller location and the covariance of system states. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed architecture has the potential to give better performance than limiting control calculations to be carried out at a fixed node.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, to be published in Automatic

Antimatter from supersymmetric dark matter

We propose low-energy antideuterons in cosmic rays as a new possible signature for indirect detection of supersymmetric dark matter. Since the energy spectrum of the antiproton secondary component is still spoilt by considerable theoretical uncertainties, looking for low-energy antideuterons seems a plausible alternative. We apply our calculation to the AMS experiment, when mounted on the International Spatial Station. If a few low-energy antideuterons will be discovered by AMS, this should be seriously taken as a clue for the existence of relic, massive neutralinos in the dark halo of our Galaxy.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, Talk presented at the 4th International Symposium On Sources And Detection Of Dark Matter In The Universe (DM 2000), Marina del Rey, California, 23-25 Feb. 200

Underground Muon Physics with the MACRO experiment

Underground muon events detected by the MACRO experiment at Gran Sasso have been studied for different purposes. The studies include the vertical muon intensity measurement, multiplicity distribution, lateral and angular muon distribution and searches for substructures inside muon bundles. These analyses have contributed to bring new insights in cosmic ray physics, in particular in the framework of primary cosmic ray composition studies. Moreover, this activity allows the testing and tuning of Monte Carlo simulations, in particular for aspects associated with models of hadronic interactions and muon propagation through the rock.Comment: 6 pages, 4 EPS figures included with epsfig, uses espcrc2.sty Talk given at the Sixth Topical Seminar on Neutrino and Astroparticle Physics, San Miniato, Italy, 17-21 May 199

High resolution Cerenkov and range detectors for balloon-borne cosmic-ray experiment

A combination of an active Cerenkov detector and passive range detectors is proposed for the high resolution measurement of isotopic composition in the neighborhood of iron in the galactic cosmic rays. A large area (4,300 sq cm) Cerenkov counter and passive range detectors were tested. Tests with heavy ions (2.1 GeV/amu C-12, 289 MeV/amu Ar-40, and 594 MeV/amu Ne-20) revealed the spatial uniformity of response of the Cerenkov counter to be better than 1% peak-to-peak. Light collection efficiency is independent of projectile energy and incidence angle to within at least 0.5%. Passive Lexan track recorders to measure range in the presence of the nuclear interaction background which results from stopping particles through 0.9 interaction lengths of matter were also tested. It was found that nuclear interactions produce an effective range straggling distribution only approximately 75% wider than that expected from range straggling alone. The combination of these tested techniques makes possible high mass resolution in the neighborhood of iron