Capability of the PAMELA Time-Of-Flight to identify light nuclei: results from a beam test calibration

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the PAMELA space telescope's Time-Of-Flight system's ability to identify light nuclei, based on calibration data from a beam test, enhancing cosmic ray composition measurements.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed assessment of PAMELA's TOF system for light nuclei identification through beam test calibration results.

Findings

Demonstrates effective charge discrimination for light nuclei

Provides calibration data for future cosmic ray analysis

Enhances understanding of PAMELA's detection capabilities

Abstract

PAMELA is a space telescope orbiting around the Earth since June 2006. The scientific objectives addressed by the mission are the measurement of the antiprotons and positrons spectra in cosmic rays, the hunt for anti-nuclei as well as the determination of light nuclei fluxes from Hydrogen to Oxygen in a wide energy range and with very high statistics. In this paper the charge discrimination capabilities of the PAMELA Time-Of-Flight system for light nuclei, determined during a beam test calibration, will be presented.