Assembly Procedure for Cosmic Ray Telescope

Author: Travis Hambleton
Last Update: 7 October 2003


 

Assembly Procedure:

1.      See QuarkNet Cosmic Ray Detector Checkout sheet for parts list.  Complete the Checkout sheet as you inventory each part and record the serial numbers.  Here you will designate which Counter is “Top” and which is “Bottom”.

2.      To create the Stand Assembly, put Stand Upright firmly onto Stand Base so that the Stand Upright’s Extension Arms are over the center of the Stand Base.  (This ensures overall balance of the detector after the counters are installed.)

3.      Tighten clamps (3/8”) on Extension Arms before installing the Top Counter and the Bottom Counter.

4.      Carefully screw the Top Counter onto one Extension Arm.  Provide constant support to the Counter as you carefully tighten it into the threads.  Repeat for the Bottom Counter.  When finished installing, counters should be parallel and each Counter’s paddles and photomultiplier tubes (PMT) should be aligned.  Be sure that the Top Counter is indeed on the top.

5.      Install the Protractor outside the Extension Arms on the horizontal bolt.  Align the protractor so that zenith angle 0º is down and secure it with a wingnut.  Using a string and small weight, hang a plumb line from the bolt on the outside of the wingnut.

6.      Using the thin black 4ns LEMO-BNC Cables, connect each Counter’s PMT base to the silver BNC Barrel.

7.      Using the green 16ns BNC-BNC Cables, connect the Top Counter’s BNC barrel into P1 on the Logic Board (representing Channel 1) and the Bottom Counter’s BNC barrel into P2 on the Logic Board (Channel 2).

8.      Plug the GPS-serial Cable with Temperature Probe to the “Ethernet jack” on the Logic Board.  Connect the LeadTek GPS unit to the GPS-serial Cable at the temperature probe end.

9.      Plug the DB9 Serial Cable to the serial port on the Logic Board.  The other end will be connected to the computer.

10.  Plug one end of the 6’ Mono Mini Phone Patch Cord into either input on the Top Counter’s PMT and the other end into either input on the Bottom Counter’s PMT.

11.  Plug the 16’ Mono Mini Phone Patch Cord into the other input on the Bottom Counter’s PMT and the other end into the Power Out on the Logic Board.

12.  Ensure that both PMT’s power toggle switches are in the OFF position.   (Toggle should be switched toward the LED.)

13.  Connect the 5V DC at 2A Power Supply to the Power In on the Logic Board and plug into a wall outlet.

14.  Hook up the DB9 Serial Cable to your computer.  (See driver installation and “hyperterminal” directions for setting up configurations for data collection.  Commands CD/CE will disable/enable the display on your computer.)

15.  Turn on the Top and Bottom Counters by flipping each PMT’s toggle switch.  An LED should light up to indicate the power is ON.

 

If you experience trouble assembling or operating this device, please check these resources in order:

  1. Web site - http://www.slac.stanford.edu/quarknet/CRD
  2. Send an email question to Tom Glanzman
  3. Send an email question to Willy Langeveld
  4. [last resort!] Phone to Tom Glanzman at 650-926-3160

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