CosmicWatch: The Desktop Muon Detector(v3X)

TL;DR

The CosmicWatch v3X is an affordable, portable muon detector designed for educational and research purposes, featuring hardware improvements, onboard data storage, and user-friendly interfaces for cosmic-ray detection.

Contribution

It introduces significant hardware and firmware enhancements to the CosmicWatch muon detector, making it more sensitive, user-friendly, and suitable for educational and outreach applications.

Findings

Enhanced sensitivity and data acquisition capabilities.

Successful demonstration of cosmic-ray muon detection.

Low-cost, easy-to-assemble design for educational use.

Abstract

The CosmicWatch Desktop Muon Detector (v3X) is a compact, low-cost, and portable device designed for detecting ionizing radiation, including cosmic-ray muons. Building on previous iterations, the v3X introduces significant hardware and firmware improvements that enhance sensitivity, usability, and data acquisition capabilities. The detector integrates a plastic scintillator and silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), custom designed electronics for signal processing, onboard data storage, OLED display, environmental sensors, and USB connectivity. With a total component cost under \$100 and a build time suitable for high school students, the v3X is ideal for education, outreach, and introductory research applications in particle and astroparticle physics. This paper details the design, performance, and potential use cases of the v3X, supported by example measurements demonstrating its functionality.