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The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a satellite-borne, calorimetric-type, high-energy-resolution detector for the precise measurement of high-energy electrons, gamma rays, and nuclei from deep space. The DAMPE electromagnetic calorimeter consists of bismuth germanate (BGO) crystals that can measure incident hadron energies from 50 GeV to 100 TeV. For an inorganic scintillator, such as BGO, the nonlinear fluorescence response when measuring ions contributes to the difference between the experimental data and Monte Carlo simulations. This article reports the BGO quenching nonlinearity occurring in the DAMPE experiment. The ionization energy response of BGO to several kinds of ions lighter than iron is investigated by conducting beam tests and analyzing flight data. We compare the scintillator output with the energy loss according to GEANT4 simulations and determine the quenching parameters. The combined result of beam test and flight experiment shows that the quenching effect strongly depends on the density of the ionization energy loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the goals and scientific tasks of the space experiment "High Energy Rays Observatory" (HERO) are established. The preliminary design of the scientific equipment is presented, the characteristic features of which are its high geometric factor (up to ∼20 m2 sr) and adequate energy measurement resolution (20–30% or better, depending on the type of components). The ionisation tungsten-scintillator calorimeter is used for energy measurement. The total calorimeter weight is equal to 12 tons. The technical characteristics of the equipment permit the direct study of cosmic rays in a wide energy range, including the unexplored region of 1015–1016 eV. The current status of the space experiment is discussed. Currently, the HERO project is in its pre-R&D phase. The launch of the satellite is planned for between 2025 and 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An antihydrogen detector consisting of a thin BGO disk and a surrounding plastic scintillator hodoscope has been developed. We have characterized the two-dimensional positions sensitivity of the thin BGO disk and energy deposition into the BGO was calibrated using cosmic rays by comparing experimental data with Monte-Carlo simulations. The particle tracks were defined by connecting BGO hit positions and hits on the surrounding hodoscope scintillator bars. The event rate was investigated as a function of the angles between the tracks and the energy deposition in the BGO for simulated antiproton events, and for measured and simulated cosmic ray events. Identification of the antihydrogen Monte Carlo events was performed using the energy deposited in the BGO and the particle tracks. The cosmic ray background was limited to 12 mHz with a detection efficiency of 81%. The signal-to-noise ratio was improved from 0.22 s − 1 ∕ 2 obtained with the detector in 2012 to 0.26 s − 1 ∕ 2 in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct detection of high-energy cosmic rays up to the PeV region is one of the major challenges for the next generation of space-borne cosmic-ray detectors. The physics performance will be primarily determined by their geometrical acceptance and energy resolution. CaloCube is a homogeneous calorimeter whose geometry allows an almost isotropic response, so as to detect particles arriving from every direction in space, thus maximizing the acceptance. A comparative study of different scintillating materials and mechanical structures has been performed by means of Monte Carlo simulation. The scintillation-Cherenkov dual read-out technique has been also considered and its benefit evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]