33RD INTERNATIONAL COSMIC RAY CONFERENCE, RIO DE JANEIRO 2013THE ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS CONFERENCE

Future Plans for Cosmic Ray Activities in Saudi ArabiaMAGHRABI A. H., ALHARBI H.H., ALGHAMDI A.S.National Centre For Mathematics and Physics, King Abdulaziz City For Science and Technology, Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.

amaghrabi@kacst.edu.sa

Abstract: Optical astronomy, solar and lunar studies are the most interesting fields of studies among astronomyresearchers in Saudi Arabia, while detecting and studying the cosmic ray are considered to be a new fileds ofresearch in the country. This paper presents brief discussion of the main objectives of establishing cosmic raydetecting and monitoring systems in Saudi Arabia. These include the future plans for constructing different typesof cosmic ray detectors for various research activities, such as cosmic ray variations studies. Also, our vision ofjoining the international experiments, such as the AUGER project, are discussed. Our proposal for establishing thecosmic ray outreach program for pre degree level students in schools and underground level university students areoutlined too.

Keywords: Detectors, GEM, cosmic rays, muon, Saudi Arabia, Outreach.

1 Beginning of Cosmic Rays in SaudiArabia

The large fraction of professional observational astrophysicsdeals either with photons in other energy ranges (such as x-rays and gamma-rays) for which the emission processes areoften related to cosmic rays or with particle astrophysics di-rectly [1]. So, as part from high-energy astrophysics branch,the cosmic ray field of study has opened new windows tothe physical worlds and gave a birth to many new scientificdisciplines. The modulation of cosmic ray by solar activityresults in changing the global electrical properties of theatmosphere, which is in turn believed to affect weather andclimate which attracts interest scientists from different fieldof research [2, 7]. Ground-based cosmic ray monitors con-sidered as the most effective tools to study cosmic ray vari-ations and its link to different applications [8]. Therefore,monitoring cosmic ray variations on different time scalesis of a great importance. Here in Saudi Arabia, optical as-tronomy is the main field of research. Particle physicistsinvolved in high energy experiments, with no real activityon cosmic ray research.

In 2000 studies of cosmic rays were announced as oneof the new research area at institute of Astronomical andGeophysical Research, of King Abdulaziz city for scienceand technology (KACST). This research was by designingand constructing muon detector. This was done throughthe joint efforts between KACST and the high energyastrophysics group at the University of Adelaide, Australia.The construction of the detector was completed in July2002 and has been in operation since that time [?]. Between2003 and 2008, KACST researchers have been involved invarious technological space borne studies and little workwas done in cosmic rays.

2 KACST Detector Laboratory (KDL)In early 2009, the National Centre for Mathematics andPhysics (NCMP) at KACST has launched a project aimingto establish a radiation detector laboratory at KACST.This project aims to transfer technology from internationalinstitutions to Saudi scientists, which will result in the

Figure 1: Shows the first GEM detector constructed atKDL.

participation of Saudi scientists in international experimentsand collaborations in modern detector technology. BetweenMay 2009 and December 2011, we have been involvedin construction and building the lab and equip it with allthe necessary materials. Early 2012 we have started ourresearch activities at the lab by two projects. These areconstructing a small gas electron multiplier (GEM) detectorand muon detector. In the following, we will briefly discussthese two projects.

2.1 Gas electron multiplier (GEM) detectorThe first research activity conducted at our lab was to builda prototype simple radiation gas detector, with collaborationand advices from GSI labs in Germany, and from the avail-able resources at our lab. We have succeeded in designingand operating a small 10x10 cm2 GEM detector as shownin figure (1). More details of this project can be found in[10] . The next plans will be to modify the prototype GEMdetector for both medical and cosmic ray detection appli-cations. Since it is the first time that such kind of detectorsused for cosmic ray measurements, we are in the phase ofdoing a complete simulation of detection setup to study itsfeasibility.

33RD INTERNATIONAL COSMIC RAY CONFERENCE, RIO DE JANEIRO 2013

Figure 2: The rotatable Cosmic Ray Telescope Design

2.2 Small Muon DetectorThe second research activity at our lab was to develop dif-ferent types of cosmic ray detectors. From the available re-sources, we have designed and installed a small scintillatordetector (250x250 mm) to detect the cosmic ray muons .Thedetailed descriptions of the design concepts, constructions,and calibration procedures for this detector are given in [11].Results from this detector are given in [12]. A new designswith diminution of 100x100 cm scintillator for continuesmonitoring of the vertical incident muons, and a rotatablesystem to detect muons at different zenith angles was built,figure (2). A more ambitious program to build and operatetwo different types of cosmic ray detectors, Cerenkov waterdetectors and neutron monitors, is currently in progress.

2.3 Outreach ProgramAstrophysics teaching at schools is often supplementedwith the use of optical or radio telescopes to demonstrateobservational techniques, but many schools find cost aninhibiting factor in demonstrating high-energy particlephysics. The purpose of this part of the KDLs project is toexplore the possibility of designing and constructing cosmicray detectors, which could be used to assist in teaching predegree level students in schools. In this regard, an outreachproject was discussed with ministry of education to installand operate school-based muon detectors in coordinationwith KACST researchers. A required fund was allocated forthis project. At this stage, muon detectors are deployed insome schools in Riyadh, Later a national network of cosmicdetectors will be installed all over the kingdom.

3 Future plans and research activities inCosmic Ray in Saudi Arabia

There are several future studies in cosmic ray variations ofgreat interest for the community of cosmic rays, and datafrom our location is of a great importance. These include:

• Study the cosmic ray modulation in differenttimescales.

• Understand cosmic ray variations during sever envi-ronmental conditions, such dust storms.

• The impact of cosmic rays on cloud formation and itseffect on climate changes will be one of the expectedfuture studies.

Future plans for cosmic ray program in Saudi Arabiainclude:

• Train and qualify national staff in designing anddeveloping radiation detectors.

• Research group members need to get experiencein theoretical investigations of different aspects ofcosmic rays, such as transport and modulation ofgalactic cosmic rays in the heliosphere, accelerationand propagation of solar energetic particles, andterrestrial effects caused by energetic cosmic rays.

• Train our staff in handling and analyzing cosmic raysdata and conduct the theoretical simulations usingthe appropriate softwares.

• Establishing scientific and technical collaborationwith international institutions.

• Joining the international cosmic ray program suchas the AUGER project and QuarkNet program atFermi National Accelerator Lab is one of the aims forestablishing cosmic ray field of research. Joining suchinternational project will help in raising the ability ofthe researchers in Saudi Arabia by experts exchangeprogram.

• Conducting cosmic ray educational workshops forteachers and students. We are planning to increasethe number of the detectors that will allow havingan array, which will enable us for advance cosmicray experiments such as air shower and directionalstudies of arrival cosmic rays. This will serve as astarter for a future activity dedicated to the study ofUHECR (Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays).

4 ConclusionDue to its importance to many fields of researches, cos-mic ray studies become crucial field , hence Saudi scien-tist should involve in such topics. KACST started the ef-forts in establishing cosmic ray activates by constructed andequipped the first physics detectors laboratory in the countryfor designing different type of radiation detectors for vari-ous applications. The outreach program was started with col-laboration of ministry of education at Riyadh schools. Sev-eral communications with similar international programswere done to be a part of the international muon detectionnetwork. More scientific collaborations with internationalinstitutes and organizations are ongoing for more technol-ogy transfer and training purposes.

Acknowledgment:The authors would like to thank the KingAbdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for support-ing this work.

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33RD INTERNATIONAL COSMIC RAY CONFERENCE, RIO DE JANEIRO 2013

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