Characterization of an MPPC-Based Scintillator Telescope and Measurement of Cosmic Muon Angular Distribution

TL;DR

This paper details the development and characterization of an MPPC-based scintillator telescope used to measure the cosmic muon angular distribution, demonstrating its effectiveness for high-energy physics detection.

Contribution

It introduces a novel MPPC-based scintillator system with enhanced light collection and validates its performance through cosmic muon angular distribution measurements.

Findings

Measured muon angular distribution with n=1.44 ± 0.06

Validated MPPCs as low-voltage alternatives to PMTs

Demonstrated high sensitivity and stability of the detector

Abstract

This report presents the design, characterization, and application of a high-sensitivity optical detection system based on plastic scintillators coupled to Multi-Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs). The primary objective was to evaluate the performance of MPPCs (Silicon Photomultipliers) as robust, low-voltage alternatives to traditional photomultiplier tubes for detecting faint scintillation light. The optoelectronic properties of the sensors were analyzed, including single-photoelectron gain calibration and dark count rate measurements, to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. By embedding wavelength-shifting fibers to enhance light collection efficiency, the system was configured into a three-fold coincidence telescope. The angular distribution of the cosmic ray muon flux was measured to validate the detector's stability and geometric acceptance. Fitting the experimental data to a $\bm{\cos^n(\theta)}$ distribution yielded an angular exponent of $\bm{n = 1.44 \pm 0.06}$, consistent with literature values. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the MPPC-scintillator coupling for precise photon counting and timing applications in high-energy physics instrumentation.