Study of density independent scattering angle and energy loss for low- to high-Z material using Muon Tomography

TL;DR

This study uses GEANT4 simulations to analyze how cosmic ray muons scatter and lose energy in different materials, enabling material identification based on scattering patterns related to atomic number and density.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of density independent and dependent muon scattering angles across various elements, enhancing material identification techniques.

Findings

Distinct scattering patterns observed for different elements.

Density independent scattering angles vary with atomic number.

Potential for improved material detection using muon tomography.

Abstract

Cosmic ray muon, as they pass through a material, undergoes Multiple Coulomb Scattering (MCS). The analysis of muon scattering angle in a material provides us with an opportunity to study the characteristics of material and its internal 3D structure as the scattering angle depends on the atomic number, the density of the material, and the thickness of the medium at a given energy. We have used the GEANT4 toolkit to study the scattering angle and utilize this information to identify the material. We have analyzed the density dependent $\&$ density independent scattering angle and observed various patterns for distinct periods in the periodic table.