The mini-neutron monitor: A new approach in neutron monitor design

TL;DR

The paper introduces the mini-neutron monitor, a smaller, cost-effective, semi-autonomous device designed to expand and enhance the global neutron monitor network for space weather and cosmic ray research.

Contribution

It presents the design, operation, and initial testing of the mini-NM, enabling easier deployment and increased coverage of neutron monitoring stations.

Findings

Mini-NM operates effectively in remote locations.

Initial tests show promising sensitivity and reliability.

The design supports near-real-time space weather monitoring.

Abstract

The near-Earth cosmic ray flux has been monitored for more than 70 years by a network of ground-based neutron monitors (NMs). With the ever-increasing importance of quantifying the radiation risk and effects of cosmic rays for, e.g., air and space-travel, it is essential to continue operating the existing NM stations, while expanding this crucial network. In this paper, we discuss a smaller and cost-effective version of the traditional NM, the mini-NM. These monitors can be deployed with ease, even to extremely remote locations, where they operate in a semi-autonomous fashion. We believe that the mini-NM, therefore, offers the opportunity to increase the sensitivity and expand the coverage of the existing NM network, making this network more suitable to near-real-time monitoring for space weather applications. In this paper, we present the technical details of the mini-NM's design and operation, and present a summary of the initial tests and science results.