• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2016

Caves can serve as major outposts for future human exploration of the Moon and Mars. In addition, caves can protect people and electronic equipment from external hazards such as cosmic ray radiation and meteorites impacts and serve as a shelter. Numerous pit craters have been discovered on the Moon and Mars and are potential entrances to caves; the principal topographic features of pit craters are their visible internal floors and pits with vertical walls. We have devised two topographical models for investigating the relationship between the topographical characteristics and the inner void of pit craters. One of our models is a concave floor void model and the other is a convex floor tube model. For each model, optical photographs have been obtained under conditions similar to those in which optical photographs have been acquired for craters on the Moon and Mars. Brightness profiles were analyzed for determining the profile patterns of the void pit craters. The profile patterns were compared to the brightness profiles of Martian pit craters, because no good-quality images of lunar pit craters were available. In future studies, the model profile patterns will be compared to those of lunar pit craters, and the proposed method will likely become useful for finding lunar caves and consequently for planning lunar bases for manned lunar expeditions.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.325-333
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• 2014

We are motivated by both the accumulating evidence for the connection of solar variability to the chemistry of nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere and recent finding that the Galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) influx is associated with the solar north-south asymmetry. We have analyzed the measured pH in precipitation over the 109 stations distributed in the United States. We have found that data of pH in precipitation as a whole appear to be marginally anti-correlated with the solar asymmetry. That is, rain seems to become less acidic when the southern hemisphere of the Sun is more active. The acidity of rain is also found to be correlated with the atmospheric temperature, while not to be correlated with solar activity itself. We have carried on the analysis with two subsamples in which stations located in the east and in the west. We find that the pH data derived from the eastern stations which are possibly polluted by sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides are not correlated with the solar asymmetry, but with the temperature. On the contrary, the pH data obtained from the western stations are found to be marginally anti-correlated with the solar asymmetry. In addition, the pH data obtained from the western stations are found to be correlated with the solar UV radiation. We conclude by briefly pointing out that a role of the solar asymmetry in the process of acidification of rain is to be further examined particularly when the level of pollution by sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides is low.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2011

The PHENIX Experiment is the largest of the four experiments that have taken data at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. PHENIX, the Pioneering High Energy Nuclear Interaction eXperiment, is designed specifically to measure direct probes of the collisions such as electrons, muons, and photons. The primary goal of PHENIX is to discover and study a new state of matter called the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Among many particles, muons coming from W-boson decay gives us key information to analyze the spin of proton. Resistive plate chambers are proposed as a suitable solution as a muon trigger because of their fast response and good time resolution, flexibility in signal readout, robustness and the relatively low cost of production. The RPC detectors for upgrade were assembled and their performances were evaluated. The procedure to make the detectors better was optimized and described in detail in this thesis. The code based on ROOT was written and by using this the performance of the detectors made was evaluated, and all of the modules for north muon arm met the criteria and installation at PHENIX completed in November 2009. As RPC detectors that we made showed fast response, capacity of covering wide area with a resonable price and good spatial resolution, this will give the opportunity for applications, such as diagnosis and customs inspection system.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.537-558
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• 2005

This paper addresses the results of HAUSAT-2 radiation environment and effect analyses, including TID and SEE analyses. Trapped proton and electron, solar proton, galactic cosmic ray models were considered for HAUSAT-2 TID radiation environment analysis. TID was analyzed through total dose-depth curve and the radiation tolerance of TID for HAUSAT-2 components was verified by using DMBP method and sectoring analysis. HAUSAT-2 LET spectrum for heavy ion and proton were also analyzed for SEE investigation. SEE(SEU, SEL) analyses were accomplished for MPC860T2B microprocessor and K6X8008T2B memory. It was estimated that several SEUs may occur without SEL during the HAUSAT-2 mission life(2 years). Software Hamming Code EDAC has been implemented to detect and correct the SEU. In this study, all radiation analyses were conducted by using SPENVIS software.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.343-349
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• 2012

The solar proton telescope (SPT) is considered as one of the scientific instruments to be installed in instruments for the study of space storm (ISSS) which is determined for next generation small satellite-1 (NEXTSat-1). The SPT is the instrument that acquires the information on energetic particles, especially the energy and flux of proton, according to the solar activity in the space radiation environment. We performed the simulation to determine the specification of the SPT using geometry and tracking 4 (GEANT4). The simulation was performed in the range of 0.6-1,000 MeV considering that the proton, which is to be detected, corresponds to the high energy region according to the solar activity in the space radiation environment. By using aluminum as a blocking material and adjusting the energy detection range, we determined total 7 channels (0.6~5, 5~10, 10~20, 20~35, 35~52, 52~72, and >72 MeV) for the energy range of SPT. In the SPT, the proton energy was distinguished using linear energy transfer to compare with or discriminate from relativistic electron for the channels P1-P3 which are the range of less than 20 MeV, and above those channels, the energy was determined on the basis of whether silicon semiconductor detector (SSD) signal can pass or not. To determine the optimal channel, we performed the conceptual design of payload which uses the SSD. The designed SPT will improve the understanding on the capture and decline of solar energetic particles at the radiation belt by measuring the energetic proton.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.104.2-104.2
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• 2012

미국, 중국, 일본, 인도 등과 같은 세계 여러 국가들이 달 및 화성 탐사를 수행하고 있는 현시점에서 우리나라도 2025년에 달 탐사를 계획하고 있다. 인간에게 있어서 우주공간은 고에너지 환경의 영향을 많이 받는 곳이다. 향후 달, 화성과 같은 다른 행성으로의 이주를 생각하고 있는 현 시점에서 우리는 고에너지우주방사선 환경의 영향을 고려해야 한다. 지구에서의 인간은 지구 자기장과 대기에 의해 고에너지 우주선 환경으로부터의 영향을 덜 받는다. 그러나 달과 화성의 경우는 다르다. 달의 대기는 거의 없고 자기장도 무시할 정도로 매우 작으며, 화성 또한 자기장이 거의 없으며 대기 또한 얇아서 Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR)나 Solar Energetic Proton (SEP) 등으로부터 인간은 많은 영향을 받을 수 있다. 이러한 위험으로부터 인간이 보호받을 수 있는 곳은 달과 화성의 지표 아래나 동굴이라고 볼 수 있다. 그래서 달 및 화성의 표면과 지하 영역에 대한 고에너지 우주선 환경의 깊이에 따른 영향을 분석하여 어느 정도로 두터운 천장을 가진 동굴이어야 우주인들이 상주하는 지하공간을 지구표면에서의 방사선 환경과 같은 수준으로 유지할 수 있는지를 추정해 보려고 한다. 달 표면 토양의 화학적 구성성분은 Maria와 Highlands로 구분되어 약간의 차이가 있다. 달의 Maria 토양은 $SiO_2$ - 45.4%, $Al_2O_3$ - 14.9%, CaO - 11.8%, FeO - 14.1%, MgO - 9.2%, $TiO_2$ - 3.9%, $Na_2O$ - 0.6%이고 Highlands의 토양은 $SiO_2$ - 45.5%, $Al_2O_3$ - 24.0%, CaO - 15.9%, FeO - 5.9%, MgO - 7.5%, $TiO_2$ - 0.6%, $Na_2O$ - 0.6%의 화학적인 구성비를 가진다. 또한 화성표면은 $SiO_2$ - 43.9%, $Al_2O_3$ - 8.1%, CaO - 6.0%, FeO - 18.1%, MgO - 7.1%, $Na_2O$ - 1.4%의 토양의 화학적인 구성비를 가지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 구성비를 가지고 있는 달과 화성 표면에 대한 우주방사선의 영향을 분석하기 위해서 GEANT4를 사용하여 수행한 전산 모사의 결과를 발표할 것이다.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.42.2-43
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• 2018

When galaxy clusters interact, the intergalactic gas collides, forming shocks that are characterized by a low sonic Mach number (~3) but a comparatively high Alfvenic Mach number (~30). Such shocks behave differently from the more common astrophysical shocks, which tend to have higher sonic Mach numbers. We wish to determine whether these shocks, despite their low sonic Mach number, are capable of accelerating particles and thereby contributing to the cosmic ray spectrum. Using the PIC-MHD method, which separates the gas into a thermal and a non-thermal component to increase computational efficiency, and relying on existing PIC simulations to determine the rate at which non-thermal particles are injected in the shock, we investigate the evolution of galaxy cluster shocks and their ability to accelerate particles. Depending on the chosen injection fraction of non-thermal particles into the shock, we find that even low-Mach shocks are capable of accelerating particles. However, the interaction between supra-thermal particles and the local magnetic field triggers instabilities and turbulence in the magnetic field. This causes the shock to weaken, which in turn reduces the effectiveness of the supra-thermal particle injection. We investigate how this influences the shock evolution by reducing the particle injection rate and energy and find that a reduction of the particle injection fraction at this stage causes an immediate reduction of both upstream and downstream instabilities. This inhibits particle acceleration. Over time, as the instabilities fade, the shock surface straightens, allowing the shock to recover. Eventually, we would expect this to increase the efficiency of the particle injection and acceleration to previous levels, starting the same series of events in an ongoing cycle of increasing and decreasing particle acceleration.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.137-147
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• 2022

Various geophysical exploration methods are used to determine the exact location of underground utilities, and many studies have been performed to improve the accuracy. This study analyzed the feasibility of exploring underground utilities through a new exploration method using cosmic ray muon. A prototype of a portable muon detector was manufactured by combining a scintillator and a silicon photomultiplier. Further, a calibration operation was performed on the muon count rate. The ground thickness of the ground model was measured using the muon detector prototype, where the value could be estimated with an error of about 3%, close to the actual. In addition, the theoretical basis for tomography analysis technology was analyzed to utilize the muon detector for exploring underground utilities, and a zenith angle correction method was presented. This study revealed that the technology of exploration using muon can analyze density with high resolution and will be used for exploring underground utilities.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.1021-1030
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• 2023

We propose an overall procedure for measuring and unfolding fast neutron spectra using a trans-stilbene scintillation detector. Detector characterization was described, including the information on energy calibration, detector resolution, and nonproportionality response. The digital charge comparison method was used for the investigation of neutron-gamma Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD). A pair of values of 600 ns pulse width and 24 ns delay time was found as the optimized conditions for PSD. A fitting technique was introduced to increase the trans-stilbene Proton Response Function (PRF) by 28% based on comparison of the simulated and experimental electron-equivalent distributions by the Cf-252 source. The detector response matrix was constructed by Monte-Carlo simulation and the spectrum unfolding was implemented using the iterative Bayesian method. The unfolding of simulated and measured spectra of Cf-252 and AmBe neutron sources indicates reliable, stable and no-bias results. The unfolding technique was also validated by the measured cosmic-ray induced neutron flux. Our approach is promising for fast neutron detection and spectroscopy.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.21-33
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• 2019

This paper focuses on the interpretation of radiation fluxes from active galactic nuclei. The advantage of positron annihilation spectroscopy over other methods of spectral diagnostics of active galactic nuclei (therefore AGN) is demonstrated. A relationship between regular and random components in both bolometric and spectral composition of fluxes of quanta and particles generated in AGN is found. We consider their diffuse component separately and also detect radiative feedback after the passage of high-velocity cosmic rays and hard quanta through gas-and-dust aggregates surrounding massive black holes in AGN. The motion of relativistic positrons and electrons in such complex systems produces secondary radiation throughout the whole investigated region of active galactic nuclei in form of cylinder with radius R= 400-1000 pc and height H=200-400 pc, thus causing their visible luminescence across all spectral bands. We obtain radiation and electron energy distribution functions depending on the spatial distribution of the investigated bulk of matter in AGN. Radiation luminescence of the non-central part of AGN is a response to the effects of particles and quanta falling from its center created by atoms, molecules and dust of its diffuse component. The cross-sections for the single-photon annihilation of positrons of different energies with atoms in these active galactic nuclei are determined. For the first time we use the data on the change in chemical composition due to spallation reactions induced by high-energy particles. We establish or define more accurately how the energies of the incident positron, emitted ${\gamma}-quantum$ and recoiling nucleus correlate with the atomic number and weight of the target nucleus. For light elements, we provide detailed tables of all indicated parameters. A new criterion is proposed, based on the use of the ratio of the fluxes of ${\gamma}-quanta$ formed in one- and two-photon annihilation of positrons in a diffuse medium. It is concluded that, as is the case in young supernova remnants, the two-photon annihilation tends to occur in solid-state grains as a result of active loss of kinetic energy of positrons due to ionisation down to thermal energy of free electrons. The single-photon annihilation of positrons manifests itself in the gas component of active galactic nuclei. Such annihilation occurs as interaction between positrons and K-shell electrons; hence, it is suitable for identification of the chemical state of substances comprising the gas component of the investigated media. Specific physical media producing high fluxes of positrons are discussed; it allowed a significant reduction in the number of reaction channels generating positrons. We estimate the brightness distribution in the ${\gamma}-ray$ spectra of the gas-and-dust media through which positron fluxes travel with the energy range similar to that recorded by the Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics (PAMELA) research module. Based on the results of our calculations, we analyse the reasons for such a high power of positrons to penetrate through gas-and-dust aggregates. The energy loss of positrons by ionisation is compared to the production of secondary positrons by high-energy cosmic rays in order to determine the depth of their penetration into gas-and-dust aggregations clustered in active galactic nuclei. The relationship between the energy of ${\gamma}-quanta$ emitted upon the single-photon annihilation and the energy of incident electrons is established. The obtained cross sections for positron interactions with bound electrons of the diffuse component of the non-central, peripheral AGN regions allowed us to obtain new spectroscopic characteristics of the atoms involved in single-photon annihilation.