Measurement by FIB on the ISS: Two Emissions of Solar Neutrons Detected?

TL;DR

This study reports three years of solar neutron observations from the ISS using the FIB detector, detecting solar neutrons associated with M-class solar flares for the first time.

Contribution

It introduces the FIB detector's capabilities and presents the first detection of neutrons from M-class solar flares, expanding understanding of solar neutron emissions.

Findings

Detected solar neutrons associated with M-class flares for the first time.

Measured background neutron spectra over the SAA region and elsewhere.

Achieved directional identification of solar neutrons with high sensitivity.

Abstract

A new type of solar neutron detector (FIB) was launched onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on July 16, 2009, and it began collecting data at the International Space Station (ISS) on August 25, 2009. This paper summarizes the three years of observations obtained by the solar neutron detector FIB until the end of July 2012. The solar neutron detector FIB can determine both the energy and arrival direction of neutrons. We measured the energy spectra of background neutrons over the SAA region and elsewhere, and found the typical trigger rates to be 20 counts/sec and 0.22 counts/sec, respectively. It is possible to identify solar neutrons to within a level of 0.028 counts/sec, provided that directional information is applied. Solar neutrons were observed in association with the M-class solar flares that occurred on March 7 (M3.7) and June 7 (M2.5) of 2011. This marked the first time that neutrons were observed in M-class solar flares. A possible interpretaion of the prodcution process is provided.