The prompt cosmic-ray-induced background in the orbiting Compton telescope COMPTEL

Authors

James M. Ryan, University of New HampshireFollow
S C. Kappadath, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
Mark L. McConnell, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
D Morris, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
V Schonfelder, Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische PhysikFollow
M Varendorff, Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische PhysikFollow
G Weidenspointer, Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische PhysikFollow
W Hermsen, Space Research Organization of the Netherlands (SRON)
K Bennett, ESTEC

Abstract

The authors report the spectrum of background events that the COMPTEL instrument on ComptonGamma Ray Observatory experiences due to the instantaneous effects of cosmic rays. Otherbackgrounds are present in the data of this Compton telescope, but the components that closely follow the instantaneous flux of cosmic rays are the most identifiable. The background varies approximately linearly with the cosmic-ray intensity and exhibits a broad feature from about 1 to 10 MeV suggestive of the nuclear nature of the events. Above 10 MeV there is a marked change in the nature of thebackground that is not understood. It appears that the background changes from nuclear to electromagnetic in nature.

Department

Space Science Center, Physics

Publication Date

1997

Journal Title

High Conference on the Energy Radiation Background in Space, 1997.

Publisher

IEEE

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1109/CHERBS.1997.660222

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Recommended Citation

Ryan, J.M.; Kappadath, S.; McConnell, M.; Morris, D.; Schonfelder, V.; Varendorff, M.; Weidenspointner, G.; Hermsen, W.; Bennett, K., "The prompt cosmic-ray-induced background in the orbiting Compton telescope COMPTEL," High Energy Radiation Background in Space, 1997 Conference on the , vol., no., pp.13,16, 22-23 Jul 1997

Rights

c 1998 IEEE