A hybrid muon hodoscope for muonography of large-scale objects has been created in the Scientific and Educational Centre NEVOD (MEPhI) with the participation of the National Research Center “KI”–IHEP. The multichannel detecting system of the hodoscope consists of a scintillation strip detector and a detector on drift tubes and is designed to detect tracks of charged particles, mainly muons, flying through the detector volume. The drift tube detector is an important recording element of the muon hodoscope, providing high angular and spatial accuracy of muon track reconstruction. The article describes the design of the drift tube detector, the principles of operation of the readout electronics, and also provides the main technical characteristics.

The SPASCHARM experiment is aimed at a systematic study of the nucleon spin structure and the spin dependence of the strong interaction of antimatter and matter with matter at energies up to 45 GeV. As part of the first stage of the experiment, the study of the spin properties of hadrons will take place in a beam of negatively charged hadrons on existing beamline 14 at the operating SPASCHARM setup at the U70 facility. At the second stage, the production of polarized beams of protons and antiprotons is envisaged in beamline 24A of the U-70 accelerator facility. A polarized antiproton beam will certainly become a unique beam in the world. It is planned to measure single-spin asymmetries in dozens of reactions, both on hydrogen and on various nuclei. At the SPASCHARM facility, it is also possible to measure the transverse polarization of hyperons and elements of the spin density matrix of vector mesons. The spin structure of the nucleon will be investigated in the study of quarkonium production to determine the contribution of gluons to the proton spin. The presence of two types of polarized beams and eight types of nonpolarized beams (π ± , K ± , p , p̅ , d , C ), in combination with a polarized target, expands the range of studies of polarization phenomena and enhances the uniqueness of the project.

Cosmic ray muons arriving from the upper hemisphere to the Earth’s surface, are currently used to develop methods of muonography (analogous to radiography) of the internal structure of large-scale objects and relief, such as volcanoes, blast furnaces, nuclear reactors, etc. The article discusses various aspects, methods and specific examples of penetrating muonography, in particular, as applied to the study of the structure of nuclear reactors.

For investigation of the cosmic muon scattering tomography (MST) concept at NRC ‘‘Kurchatov Institute’’—IHEP the large-scale setup has been constructed. The setup includes 8 planes ($$3\times 3$$ m$${}^{2}$$ each) of 3-layer drift tube chambers, the total quantity of drift tubes is 2304. The drift tubes were filled with gas mixture Ar $$+$$ 7$${\%}$$ CO$${}_{2}$$ at 0.5 bar overpressure on April 2011 and the gas system was closed. Up to now the gas mixture was not refreshed but the chambers are still working. We are presenting long term observation of the drift chambers’ behavior and some performances of the setup for this long period.

The new large-scale coordinate-tracking detector TREK is under construction in MEPhI. It is based on 264 multi-wire drift chambers (4000× 508× 112 mm3 size) developed in IHEP for experiments on the neutrino channel of the U-70 accelerator, and will have 250 m2 of continuous effective area. The main goal of the project is the solution of so-called “muon puzzle”: the unpredicted by any theory excess of high multiplicity muon bundles generated by ultra-high energy primary cosmic rays. Besides of a set of field-forming wires, each multi-wire drift chamber has 4 signal ones. The current from these wires is processed by the shaper-amplifier AMP-4, mounted on the front of the chamber. It generates LVDS pulses that should be processed by multi-channel TDC that faces two main requirements: large matching window (more than 6000 ns) with last significant digit (LSD) less than 10 ns and capability to hold more than 50 hits per channel in a single event. These conditions were fulfilled by the new time-to-digital converter developed on the basis of Cyclone V FPGA in MEPhI. This paper presents the design of the TDC, its main features and the first benchmarks of its performance.

The new coordinate-tracking detector based on drift chambers (CTUDC) is created in MEPhI. The detector represents two planes with total area of 30 m(2) placed on the opposite sides of Cherenkov water detector of 2000 m(3) volume. Each plane consists of 8 large multiwire drift chambers (4000x508x112 mm(3)). The key advantages of these chambers are a large effective area (1.85 m(2)) and a good coordinate and angular resolution with a small number of measuring channels. From the beginning of 2017, CTUDC operates as a part of the experimental complex NEVOD. The detector is designed for measuring of high density muon bundles (up to 10 particles per m2) at zenith angles in the range from 30 degrees to 90 degrees. The results of the CTUDC operation during the last year are given, the first distributions of the events in zenith angle, muon bundle multiplicity and density obtained from the detector data are discussed.

Multiwire drift chambers designed for the neutrino experiment at the IHEP U-70 accelerator have found a new application in the MEPhI experiment focused on the detection of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. Their high durability and fine spatial and angular characteristics make these chambers perfectly suitable for such studies. The drift chambers were tested at MEPhI and used in constructing the CTUDC coordinate-tracking setup, which operated together with the NEVOD water Cherenkov detector and the DECOR detector. The results of the studies of the parameters of drift chambers in the cosmic-ray flux at test benches and in the CTUDC setup are presented.

The new coordinate-tracking detector based on drift chambers TREK, for research of ultrahighenergy cosmic rays is under development at National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. At the present, a prototype of the future detectorcoordinate-tracking unit based on drift chambers (CTUDC)is functioning. The prototype consists of 16 drift chambers. Results of experimental series have shown wide capabilities of this type of detectors for registration of muon bundles, including bundles with high density of particles. Results of operation of the prototype and prospects of developing a full-size detector TREK are presented.

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.

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.

The data-acquisition system of a muon tomograph based on the on-chamber electronics is described. Its advantages over the previously used system based on the electronics made to the VME-9U standard are considered. The hardware component and the software of the new data-acquisition system are presented.

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.

Experimental complex (EC) NEVOD includes a number of unique experimental facilities for studies of main components of cosmic rays on the Earth's surface. The complex is used for the basic research of CR flux characteristics and their interactions in the energy range 10^15 - 10^19 eV, and for applied investigations directed to the development of methods of the muon diagnostics of the atmosphere and the Earth's magnetosphere and near-terrestrial space. To extend the experimental capabilities and raising the status of the installation to the Mega Science level, nowadays new large-scale detectors: array for the EAS registration - NEVOD-EAS, detector of atmospheric neutrons - URAN, and large-area coordinate-tracking detector - TREK, are being deployed around EC NEVOD. The description of new detectors and a common trigger system to ensure the joint operation together with other detectors of EC NEVOD are presented.

The on-chamber electronic system of a muon tomograph is described. The system is composed of an MT-48 48-channel front-end module and an RMT-48 fan-out module for the multiplication of control signals. The data-acquisition structure for the Muon Tomograph device is presented.

The large-scale coordinate-tracking detector for registration of near-horizontal muon flux generated by ultra-high energy cosmic rays is being developed in MEPhI. Detector is based on the multiwire drift chambers from the neutrino experiment at the IHEP U-70 accelerator. Their key advantages are a large effective area (1.85 m(2)), good coordinate and angular resolution with a small number of measuring channels. Detector will be operated as a part of the experimental complex NEVOD, in particular, its registration system allows joint operation with Cherenkov water detector (CWD) and coordinate detector DECOR. Coordinate tracking unit on the drift chambers (CTUDC) is mounted on the opposite sides of CWD. It consists of two coordinate planes containing 8 drift chambers and represents a prototype of a full-size setup. Registration system of the CTUDC is based on the E-MISS electronics developed in IHEP, its principle of operation is presented.

В НИЯУ МИФИ ведется разработка крупномасштабного координатно-трекового детектора для регистрации окологоризонтального потока мюонов космических лучей сверхвысоких энергий. Основа установки – дрейфовые камеры нейтринного детектора ускорителя У-70 ИФВЭ, которые имеют большую эффективную площадь (1.85 м2), хорошее координатное и угловое разрешение при относительно малом количестве измерительных каналов.

The large-scale coordinate detector for registration of near-horizontal muon flux of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays is being developed in MEPhI. Detector is based on the drift chambers from the neutrino experiment at the IHEP accelerator U-70, their key advantages are the large effective area (1.85 m2), good coordinate and angular resolution with a small number of measuring channels. Detector will be operated as a part of the experimental complex NEVOD, in particular, jointly with Cherenkov water detector with volume of 2000 m3. The current status of the project and results of studies of drift chamber characteristics are discussed.