On the possibility to use semiconductive hybrid pixel detectors for study of radiation belt of the Earth

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential use of hybrid pixel detectors with Timepix chips on the Gamma-400 spacecraft to study Earth's radiation belt, leveraging their high granularity and energy measurement capabilities.

Contribution

It proposes a novel application of hybrid pixel detectors for detailed analysis of radiation belt particles in space missions.

Findings

Potential for high-resolution spatial and energy measurements of radiation belt particles.

Compact and lightweight detector design suitable for space deployment.

Feasibility of using Timepix-based detectors in orbit for radiation studies.

Abstract

The scientific apparatus "Gamma-400" designed for study of hadron and electromagnetic components of cosmic rays will be launched to an elliptic orbit with the apogee of about 300 000 km and the perigee of about 500 km. Such a configuration of the orbit allows it to cross periodically the radiation belt and the outer part of magnetosphere. We discuss the possibility to use hybrid pixel detecters based on the Timepix chip and semiconductive sensors on board the "Gamma-400" apparatus. Due to high granularity of the sensor (pixel size is 55 $mu$m) and possibility to measure independently an energy deposition in each pixel, such compact and lightweight detector could be a unique instrument for study of spatial, energy and time structure of electron and proton components of the radiation belt.