The dual-readout calorimetric technique reconstructs the event-by-event electromagnetic fraction of the hadronic shower through the simultaneous measurement of scintillating (S) and Cherenkov (C) light produced by the shower development. The new generation of prototypes, based on Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) readout, adds unprecedented granularity to the well-known high-energy resolution. A highly granular prototype (10 x 10 x 100 cm3), designed to fully contain electromagnetic showers, was recently built and qualified on beam. It consists of 9 modules, each made of 320 brass capillaries equipped with both scintillating and clear fibers. All the fibers of the central module are coupled with SiPMs, while the PMTs are used for the others. Furthermore, the new FERS-System, designed by Caen to exploit the CITIROC1A ASICs performances, is at the core of the SiPM readout.The recent test beam at DESY allowed us to qualify the readout system and define a procedure to calibrate the SiPM response from ADC to ph-e in a wide dynamic range. We measured the number of ph-e per GeV for scintillating and Cherenkov light together with the calorimetric performances in the energy range of 1-6 GeV. This work reports the system qualification and the test beam results regarding SiPM calibration.

A prototype of a dual-readout calorimeter using brass capillary tubes surrounding scintillating and clear plastic optical fibres was tested using beams of particles with energies between 10 and 100 GeV produced by the CERN SPS. The scope of the test was to characterise the performance of the tube-based detector response to positrons in terms of response linearity, energy resolution, and lateral granularity. After calibrating the detector and processing the output signal to correct for the energy dependency on the particle impact point, the linearity of the measurement was found to be better than 1%. The response to positron was compared to that predicted by a Geant4-based simulation, finding good agreement both in terms of energy resolution and shower profile. These results confirm the validity of the tube-based mechanical option and SiPM readout as a promising one for future developments.

The ORIGIN project targets the production and qualification of a real-time radiation dose imaging and source localization system for both Low Dose Rate (LDR) and High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatments, namely radiotherapy based on the use of radioactive sources implanted in the patient's body. This goal will be achieved through a 16-fiber sensor system, engineered to house in a clear-fiber tip a small volume of the scintillator to allow point-like measurements of the delivered dose. Each fiber is optically coupled to a sensor with single photon sensitivity (Silicon Photomultipliers — SiPMs) operating in counting mode. The readout is based on the CITIROC1A ASIC by WEEROC, embedded in the FERS-DT5202 scalable platform designed by CAEN S.p.A. Linearity and sensitivity together with the fiber response uniformity, system stability, and measurement reproducibility are key features for a instrument aiming to perform dose measurements. Characterization was carried out in the laboratory, using an X-ray cabinet; preliminary dose rate measurements were performed in clinical conditions.

In this paper, we report on a novel cost-effective module structure for future Dual-Readout fiber Calorimetry. We have designed and constructed the system required for the fabrication of the first proof-of-concept prototype module. The instruments, the procedures and the quality control tools used in the assembly of the prototype, and its equipment, are described exhaustively. A mechanical precision of 50 μm required for the interlocking of the tower structures into a compact module has been achieved. A similar system will be used for the assembly of a full-scale prototype based on the Dual-Readout technique.

Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) are photon sensors featuring high detection efficiency, single photon sensitivity and extended dynamic range; they represent a valuable solution for compact and lightweight hand-held instruments ideal for border control against the illicit trafficking of radioactive material or environmental measurements. This paper reports the results obtained with a standalone compact and modular system (I-spector) customized to detect fast neutrons with gamma discrimination capability. The system consists of 4 SiPM (6× 6 mm2 each) coupled to a fast neutron sensitive scintillating material (EJ-276). It includes an HV bias generator, an on-board digitizer and a microcontroller to perform real-time pulse shape analysis, ethernet and LORA connectivity. The measurements performed to define the specifications and to steer the design will be discussed, together with the results achieved by the prototype in response to a 252Cf source. The system has been shown to be linear up to 6 MeV achieving a neutron-gamma discrimination with a Figure of Merit (FoM) of 2.52 ± 0.09 in the energy window of 1–1.5 MeV together with a FoM larger than 1.27 down to 200–300 keV

The paper presents results of investigation of characteristics of Forbush decreases that occurred in 2016 and were detected by muon hodoscope ScMH. For this, barometric coefficients and differential temperature coefficients (DTC) were calculated, allowing to make corrections in the counting rate with considering of the temperature changes at all altitudes of the atmosphere. Obtained characteristics were compared with results of registration of same events with the URAGAN muon hodoscope. Comparison of results obtained with both detectors demonstrated a good agreement.

The report presents results of investigation of characteristics of Forbush decreases that occurred in 2016 and were detected by muon hodoscope ScMH. For this, barometric coefficients and differential temperature coefficients (DTC) were calculated, allowing to make corrections in the counting rate with considering of the temperature changes at all altitudes of the atmosphere. Obtained characteristics were compared with results of registration of the same events with the help of the URAGAN muon hodoscope. Comparison of results obtained with both detectors demonstrated a good agreement.

Simulations of how secondary components of cosmic rays are generated and pass through the atmosphere are performed using the CORSIKA software package. The relationship between the vertical projection of the local anisotropy vector A Z and the index of primary particle spectrum γ is calculated. The time series of A Z for 2007–2015 are obtained using data from the URAGAN muon hodoscope. Matrix data corrected for barometric and temperature effects are used to estimate A Z . Using the A Z time series, the average annual daily variations Δγ are estimated. Annual and daily variations in the slope of the energy spectrum of primary protons are observed.

The results of experiments of the last decades have shown that with the increase of energy of primary cosmic rays a clear excess of muon groups in comparison with the existing models of extensive air shower development (even assuming pure iron composition of PCR) appears. The problem is called 'muon puzzle' and it can be explained either by cosmo- or nuclear-physical reasons. One of the experiments in which the excess of muon groups was registered is a NEVODDECOR. The new large-scale coordinate- tracking detector of 254m(2) area based on drift chambers will increase the coverage of the side aperture of the Cherenkov water detector (CWD) NEVOD and significantly improve the resolution of close tracks. Multi-wire drift chambers TREK developed in IHEP for experiments at the neutrino channel of U-70 accelerator have large effective area (1.85m(2) ), a good coordinate and angular resolution with a small number of measuring channels. The first part of the detector named Coordinate-Tracking Unit based on the Drift Chambers (CTUDC) representing two coordinate planes of 8 drift chambers in each has been developed and mounted on the opposite sides of the CWD. It has the same principle of joint operation with NEVOD-DECOR triggering system so the main features of the TREK detector will be examined. Results of an examination of drift chambers at muon hodoscope URAGAN, a calibration of the CTUDC with DECOR and the first results of its joint operation with NEVOD triggering system are presented.

The NEVOD-EAS array is now being installed at MEPhI to determine the sizes, directions of arrival, and positions of the axes of extensive air showers (EAS), different components of which are recorded by the detectors of the NEVOD experimental complex. The central part of the NEVOD-EAS array, which contains four clusters of scintillation detector stations designed to record a shower’s electron–photon component, was created and put into operation in 2015. A description of the shower array measuring system and the results from reconstructing extensive air showers recorded in the first 49-day series of experiments are presented.

A new type of scintillation detector for the use in high energy physics is described. The octagonal detector consists of eight triangular scintillator sectors with total area of 1 m2. Each sector represents two plates of 2 cm thick plastic scintillator. Seven 1 mm thick WLS fibers are laid evenly between the plates. The space between the fibers is filled with silicone compound to provide better light collection. Fiber ends from all eight sectors are gathered in the central part of the detector into a bunch and docked to the cathode of a FEU-115m photomultiplier. The read-out of the counter signals is carried out from 7th and 12th dynodes, providing a wide dynamic range up to about 10000 particles. The front-end electronics of the detector is based on the flash-ADC with a sampling frequency of 200 MHz. The features of detecting and recording systems of the multisector scintillation detector (MSD) and the results of its testing are discussed.

A new NEVOD-EAS array for detection of extensive air showers (EAS) in the energy range 10(15)-10(17) eV is being created in MEPhI ( Moscow, Russia) on the basis of the Experimental complex NEVOD. It will be operated in conjunction with the Cherenkov water detector NEVOD and coordinate detector DECOR, as well as with detectors URAN and TREK which are now being constructed. The array will allow determining of the size, axis position and arrival direction of EAS registered by aforementioned installations. The NEVOD-EAS registering system is organized in a cluster principle. Each cluster of the shower array is an independent system which includes 16 scintillation counters of EAS electron-photon component combined in 4 detector stations and registering electronics. Cluster electronics performs digitizing of analog signals, selection of events according to intra-cluster triggering conditions, time-stamping of events and monitoring of cluster operational parameters. Information on events and operational parameters is transferred to the central DAQ post of control and synchronization. In 2015-2016, the central part of the NEVOD-EAS array was created and launched into operation. It includes 4 clusters located at different altitudes at area of 10(4) m(2) around the complex. The paper discribes the features of the distributed cluster type registering system of the NEVOD-EAS shower array, as well as the main characteristics of clusters and their elements.

A coordinate tracking unit based on drift chambers (CTUDC) for registering single muons and muon bundles at large zenith angles is created at the MEPhI. The unit consists of multi-wire drift chambers (DCs) with large drift gaps. These DCs were used earlier for the neutrino channel on the U-70 accelerator. The CTUDC consists of two coordinate planes with 8 drift chambers in each, assembled on the opposite sides of the NEVOD Cherenkov water detector (CWD). The effective area of the unit is 29.6 m 2 . The CWD trigger system and DECOR coordinate-tracking detector provide timestamps for the drift chambers. The first results from the registration of single muons and muon bundles by the unit in combination with other detectors of the NEVOD experimental complex are presented.

The large-scale coordinate-tracking detector TREK for registration of inclined EAS is being developed in MEPhI. The detector is based on multiwire drift chambers from the neutrino experiment at the IHEP U-70 accelerator. Their key advantages are a large effective area (1.85 m2), a good coordinate and angular resolution with a small number of measuring channels. The detector will be operated as part of the experimental complex NEVOD, in particular, jointly with a Cherenkov water detector (CWD) with a volume of 2000 cubic meters and the coordinate detector DECOR. The first part of the detector named Coordinate-Tracking Unit based on the Drift Chambers (CTUDC), representing two coordinate planes of 8 drift chambers in each, has been developed and mounted on opposite sides of the CWD. It has the same principle of joint operation with the NEVOD-DECOR triggering system and the same drift chambers alignment, so the main features of the TREK detector will be examined. Results of the CTUDC development and a joint operation with NEVOD-DECOR complex are presented.

Muon hodoscope URAGAN allows to obtain the angular distribution of the muon flux. This distribution may be characterized by a vector of local anisotropy (the sum of the vectors of the particle arrival directions, normalized to the total number of muons). It was shown that annual variations in the vertical projection of the anisotropy vector AZ are not related with changes in atmospheric conditions. The dependence of AZ on the index of the primary particles spectrum γ was calculated for several zenith angle intervals with the help of simulation of generation and propagation of secondary cosmic ray particles through the atmosphere using the CORSIKA package. Experimental temporal series of the vertical projection of the local anisotropy AZ for several intervals of zenith angles were obtained for 2007-2015. According to the obtained AZ time series, annual and diurnal changes of Δγ were estimated.

The new coordinate-tracking unit on drift chambers (CTUDC) is launched in MEPhI. The detector is developed for joint operation with Cherenkov water detector (CWD) NEVOD of 2000 cubic meters and coordinate-tracking detector DECOR. It represents two coordinate planes of 8 large multi-wire drift chambers in each mounted on the opposite sides of CWD. The total area of the detector is about 30 square meters. The aim of the project is to examine the features of joint operation of such type detectors with NEVOD triggering system, accuracy and performance of drift chambers. This information will be used in development of a future large-scale detector TREK consisting of 264 same drift chambers. Results of cross-calibration of the CTUDC and coordinate-tracking detector DECOR, joint registration of high-multiplicity muon bundles with NEVOD-DECOR complex and performance of the new setup are presented.