A system for detecting non-organic object transition in shallow waters with muons

Abstract

The invention relates to a muon flux measuring device placed on the bottom or on a platform underwater to detect the passage and / or presence of inorganic objects (e.g. submarines) standing or moving in shallow waters, underwater or on the surface of the water, and to a system that will give a live alarm as a result of the decrease in the instantaneous muon flux caused by the presence of the object.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM FOR DETECTING NON-ORGANIC OBJECT TRANSITION IN SHALLOW WATERS WITH MUONS

[0002] Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a muon flux measuring device placed on the bottom or on a platform underwater to detect the passage and / or presence of inorganic objects (e.g. submarines) standing or moving in shallow waters, underwater or on the surface of the water, and to a system that will give a live alarm as a result of the decrease in the instantaneous muon flux caused by the presence of the object.

[0004] State of the Art of the Invention

[0005] According to the standard model of elementary particles, muons (ant-muons) are elementary particles that have a - (+) electron charge and a rest mass of 105.66 MeV / c2. Muons ( ) have a mean lifetime of 2.197 microseconds in a stationary reference frame, but as they approach the speed of light, relativistic effects occur, increasing the observed lifetime of muons and allowing them to travel greater distances before decaying into electrons, positrons, and neutrinos. Cosmic particles of galactic and solar origin that reach Earth consist mostly of protons, helium nuclei, and electrons. Once they reach the upper atmosphere, they interact with air molecules to produce secondary particles. The Pi and K mesons within these particles, along with other decay products, decay into muons. This process produces most atmospheric muons. Traveling close to the speed of light and subject to relativity, muons can reach sea level without decaying in the atmosphere.

[0006] Most cosmic rays reaching sea level are muons. They exhibit an energy -dependent distribution, with muons with kinetic energies above 1 Giga-electronVolt (GeV) dominating. Atmospheric muons at sea level are distributed according to the zenith angle (9) relative to Earth's surface for different energy regions. Their distribution conforms to cos2(9) around 10 GeV. The muon flux at sea level exhibits seasonal variation; in summer, the flux increases with increasing atmospheric effective temperature. The seasonal variation in the daily mean muon flux has been observed to be around 1% of the annual mean. The diurnal variation in the muon flux follows a similar pattern, with peaks at noon and peaks at midnight, and deviates from the daily mean by about 0.1%. The Forbush decrease is a phenomenon that occurs 15-18 hours after a coronal mass ejection, which removes galactic cosmic rays from the Earth's vicinity and causes a sudden decrease in the muon flux. Recovery from this decrease usually occurs within 3 to 10 days. During this period, the muon flux can decrease to as much as 80% of the normal flux.

[0007] Muons in the atmosphere lose kinetic energy as they pass through matter, their speed decreases until they become non-relativistic, and as their lifetimes expire, they decay into electrons (positrons) and neutrinos. Ionization of the material is the primary source of energy loss for muons passing through matter. The average energy loss experienced by muons passing through any material depends on the material's atomic number and molar mass, as well as the muon's rest mass, relative velocity, and the square of the electric charge. This ratio can be calculated using the well-known Bethe-Bloch equation. For compounds and mixtures, the total energy loss is the proportional sum of the losses of the individual elements. The total energy loss of muons passing through a material is proportional to the density of the medium. For two objects of the same density, this energy loss is greater in the material with the higher atomic number. This phenomenon is widely used in muon tomography for geoscientific studies focusing on solids such as glaciers and rocks on Earth.

[0008] There are a variety of methods used for muon measurement. Of these, nuclear emulsion is a method similar to photographic film, working through chemical interactions, recorded observations, and requiring repetition after each observation. Spark chamber, bubble chamber, and cloud chamber methods are not suitable for use in high-pressure, variable environments such as underwater, because they use liquid / gas at critical points. Geiger tubes and gas detectors operating on similar principles are not suitable for underwater use because they are affected by pressure fluctuations. Cherenkov detectors are primarily used for neutrino research underwater. Detectors constructed with scintillator materials, on the other hand, utilize solid-state materials, making them suitable for use in pressurized environments such as underwater.

[0009] Underwater muon detection has been investigated in ANTARES, D MAND, KM3NeT, and similar projects, but these are neutrino detection experiments primarily concerned with the detection of muons produced as a byproduct of the very rare interaction of muon neutrinos with matter. The choice of an aqueous medium stems from the desire to detect Cherenkov radiation, not from interest in the medium itself or its contents. The only experiment using a method similar to the one proposed here is the TS-HKMSDD experiment, which consists of 30 scintillator modules spaced 10 m apart and spread over an area of 200 m in a tunnel under the seabed. With monthly time-sequential muon counts, TS-HKMSDD's primary objective is to use the relationship between sea level and muon flux (muon flux decreases with rising sea level) to measure tides for environmental stability and maritime traffic. This system, located in an underwater tunnel, is not suitable for real-time detection of inorganic objects because the concrete above it reduces the muon flux.

[0010] Current methods for detecting inorganic objects underwater and above are systems that use sound or light, such as radar, sonar, and lidar. Because light has limited propagation through water, lidar is primarily used at surface and near-surface depths. Radar systems, however, are not effective underwater due to the mixed top layer (ML), a sharp density difference between the upper and lower water layers observed in seas and lakes. Sonar systems, commonly used underwater, require the object to be observed to have a sound-reflecting surface. As in submarines, designing the object's surface to prevent sound reflection and minimizing the sound produced by the object can prevent sonar systems from detecting objects. Because systems such as radar, sonar, and lidar are active systems, the signals they produce can be monitored and neutralized.

[0011] Patent document number JP5963161B2 uses a sensor that measures particles like muons that can pass through a rigid material. After being mounted on a base, this sensor generates angular radiation using the muon sensor. This allows the structure to detect the location and internal structure of a large object from a distance.

[0012] The patent, publication number CN110727032A, concerns a system that performs positioning using muon radiography. The system detects movement within a predetermined enclosed volume by examining the muon flux.

[0013] Patent document US10921468B2 concerns a system using muon detectors designed to image the subsurface. This imaging technique detects muons moving upward from the surface. In addition, the system can also determine the trajectory of the muons.

[0014] Patent number CN117631011 A relates to a muon detector for underwater use. The device comprises a spherical tank body with an insulating inner wall. A sealed soft-packaging bag designed to hold pure water is secured inside the tank. A flange is positioned at the bottom of the tank body, and the side of the flange facing the inside of the tank is connected to a photomultiplier tube that accelerates and amplifies muon signals. The device described here is configured to detect muon signals underwater.

[0015] As a result, due to the above mentioned deficiencies and problems, a new passive measurement technique with low signal noise and low false alarm rate using atmospheric muons has become necessary for the detection of inorganic objects, whether underwater or on the surface, whether stationary or moving.

[0016] Objects of the Invention

[0017] The main purpose of the invention is to reveal a structure of the muon flux measuring device placed on the bottom or on a platform underwater to detect the passage and / or presence of inorganic objects (e.g. submarines) standing or moving in shallow waters, underwater or on the surface of the water, and the system that will give a live alarm as a result of the decrease in the instantaneous muon flux caused by the presence of the object.

[0018] The purpose of the invention is to reveal a structure of a device and system that provides instant data accessible to the end user.

[0019] The purpose of the invention is to reveal a structure of the system created using one or more muon flux measuring devices.

[0020] In order to achieve the above objects, a muon flux measuring device configured to be located on the ground or under the ground in liquid medium contains a detector material sensitive to the passage of muons for the detection of atmospheric muon passage. The muon signal from this detector material is routed by a muon signal carrier, and the signal from this carrier is converted into an electrical signal by a muon signal converter. The signal converted into an electrical signal is converted into a digital signal with an analog / digital converter and then this signal is counted with a counter. The device also includes at least one power supply to supplies power to the muon signal converter, analog / digital converter and counter. In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least a power supply that supplies power to at least the electronically measurable signal converter of the muon signal, the analog / digital converter, and the counter.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, there are multiple power supplies that supply power to at least the electronically measurable signal converter of the muon signal, the analog / digital converter, and the counter.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one power supply provided as an external source.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one power supply provided as an internal source.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a muon signal converter and an analog / digital signal converter, which are configured as a single module.

[0025] One embodiment of the invention includes an electronically measurable signal converter of the muon signal, an analog / digital signal converter, and a counter, which are configured as a single module.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a liquid-tight body.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a body configured to include at least the detector material, the muon signal carrier, the muon signal converter, the analog / digital converter, and the counter.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one interface member that informs a user using the data from the counter.

[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, there is at least one interface member configured to provide a real-time audible and / or visual and / or virtual alert upon a decrease in the instantaneous muon flux due to the presence of the object. In an embodiment of the invention, there is a counter that transmits data instantly to the interface member and an interface member that provides instant information depending on the data it receives.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a processing unit configured to calculate parameters such as length, diameter, and velocity that may be required for the diagnosis of the object, with measurements obtained from multiple muon flux measuring devices.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a detector material provided as a scintillator.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a detector material provided as a geiger tube.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a Cherenkov detector that includes a muon signal carrier, a signal converter, an analog / digital converter, and a counter.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a Cherenkov detector that includes a muon signal carrier, a signal converter, and an analog / digital converter.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a Cherenkov detector that includes a muon signal carrier and a signal converter.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a muon signal converter provided as a photomultiplier tube or a silicon photomultiplier.

[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a muon flux measuring system that includes multiple muon flux measuring devices.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one power supply to supply power to multiple muon flux measuring devices.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one processing unit that measures parameters such as the length, diameter, and velocity of the object by processing them with data obtained from multiple muon flux measuring device for the diagnosis of the object. Definition of the Drawings of the Invention

[0040] The figures and related explanations used to better explain the device developed with this invention are below.

[0041] Fig- 1- Schematic view of the system of the invention.

[0042] Fig. la. Schematic view of the system of the invention with a platform.

[0043] Fig. lb. Schematic view of the inventive system with a base embedded.

[0044] Fig- 2. Control flow diagram of the device of the invention.

[0045] Fig. 2a. Control flow diagram of the inventive device with a discrete power supply.

[0046] Fig. 2b. Control flow diagram of the device of the invention with an integrated power supply.

[0047] Definitions of the Elements / Features / Parts of the Invention

[0048] In order to better explain the device developed with this invention, the parts and sections in the figures are numbered and the correspondence of each number is given below.

[0049] A. Atmosphere

[0050] B. Liquid surface

[0051] C. Inorganic object

[0052] D. Liquid medium

[0053] E. Ground

[0054] P. Platform

[0055] M. Atmospheric muon flux

[0056] Me. Muon flux measuring device

[0057] 10. Atmospheric muons

[0058] 20. Detector material

[0059] 30. Muon signal carrier

[0060] 40. Power supply

[0061] 50. Muon signal converter

[0062] 60. Analog / digital signal converter

[0063] 70. Counter

[0064] 80. Interface element Detailed Description of the Invention

[0065] The subject of the invention is related to a muon flux measuring device placed on the bottom or on a platform underwater to detect the passage and / or presence of inorganic objects (e.g. submarines) standing or moving in shallow waters, underwater or on the surface of the water, and a system that will give a live alarm as a result of the decrease in the instantaneous muon flux caused by the presence of the object.

[0066] Referring to Figure 1, the atmospheric muon flux (M), resulting from the collision of cosmic rays with atoms and molecules in the upper layer of the atmosphere (A), undergoes some loss in the atmosphere and reaches the surface of a sea, ocean, strait, river, or natural or artificial lake (B). The muon flux (M), which continues its journey within the sea, ocean, strait, river, or natural or artificial lake (D), decreases and hardens with a depth. The muon flux measuring device (Me) placed at the bottom of the sea, ocean, strait, river, or natural or artificial lake (E) continuously measures the instantaneous muon flux (M) there.

[0067] With reference to Fig. 1, when the inorganic object (C) is located on the muon flux measuring device (Me) while standing or moving in the sea, ocean, strait, river or natural or artificial lake (D) or on the surface of the sea, ocean, strait, river or natural or artificial lake (B), there is an additional decrease in the instantaneous muon flux (M) measured by the muon flux measuring device (Me). With this decrease, the user obtains the knowledge that the inorganic object (C) is standing or moving in the sea, ocean, strait, river or natural or artificial lake (D) or on the surface of the sea, ocean, strait, river or natural or artificial lake (B). Since this process uses the naturally existing muon flux, it is a passive detection process, unlike systems such as radar, lidar, active radar.

[0068] Since the system works underwater and the structures of living things are largely made up of water, the system's response to water is almost the same as its response to living beings. Since muons lose energy at almost the same rate as they pass through the living things and water, a muon flux measuring device (Me) under water will not be able to see living things in water. Therefore, this demand, which refers to a threshold value, is not suitable for our system.

[0069] With reference to Fig. la, the muon measuring device (Me) can be located at the bottom of the sea, ocean, strait, river or natural or artificial lake (E) and / or on a platform (P) rising from the bottom. With reference to Fig lb, the muon measuring device (Me) can be positioned by being embedded at the bottom (E) of the sea, ocean, strait, river or natural or artificial lake, and can be hidden by being covered with natural underwater plants such as seagrass or artificial submarine plants.

[0070] The present invention is designed as a muon flux measuring device (Me) configured to be located on the ground (E) or under the ground (E) in liquid medium (D) and comprises at least one detector material (20) sensitive to the passage of muons for the detection of atmospheric muon (10) passage, at least one muon signal carrier (30) directing the muon signal from said detector material (20), at least one muon signal converter (50) that converts the signal from said muon signal carrier (30) into an electrical signal, at least one analog / digital converter (50) that converts the signal from the said muon signal converter (60) into a digital signal, at least one counter (70) that counts the signal from the said analog / digital converter (60), at least one power supply (40) that will supply power to said muon signal converter (50), the analog / digital converter (60) and the counter (70).

[0071] With reference to Fig. 2, the atmospheric muons (10) coming to the detector material (20), which is sensitive to the passage of muons, provide a muon signal in the material. This signal is directed through the muon signal carrier (30) to the electronically measurable signal converter (50). Here, muon signals are converted into an analog electrical signal and sent to the analog / digital signal converter (60). The obtained signals are counted with the counter (90) and the instantaneous muon flux is measured.

[0072] With reference to Fig. 2, the electronically measurable signal converter (50) of the muon signal and the analog / digital signal converter (60) may be a single module, or the electronically measurable signal converter (50) of the muon signal and the analog / digital signal converter (60) and counter (70) can be a single module.

[0073] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the muon flux information measured by the counter (70) is transmitted to the user by the interface element (80). The interface element (80) provides an audible, visual, or virtual alert in real time when the inorganic object (C) is located on or moves on the surface (B) or within a sea, ocean, strait, river, or natural or artificial lake (D), and an additional decrease occurs in the instantaneous muon flux (M) measured by the muon flux measuring device (Me).

[0074] The interface element (80) may provide the results of a single muon flux measuring device (Me) as well as the results of a system formed by multiple muon flux measuring devices (Me).

[0075] With reference to Fig. 2, the power required by the counter (70), the anal og / digi tai signal converter (60) and the electronically measurable signal converter (50) of the muon signal is supplied from a battery or, an external source (40). The power required by the interface member (80) is supplied from a battery or, an external source (40).

[0076] With reference to Fig. 2a, as an alternative to the system in Fig. 2, the power required by the electronically measurable signal converter (50) of the muon signal is supplied from a power supply (40), such as a battery, for example, from an external source. The power required by the analogue / digital signal converter (60) is supplied from a power supply (40) such as a battery, e.g. from an external source. The power required by the counter (70) is supplied from a power supply (40), such as a battery, for example, from an external source. The power required by the interface member (80) is supplied from a battery or, an external source (40).

[0077] With reference to Fig. 2b, as an alternative to the system in Fig. 2, the power required by the counter (70), the analog / digital signal converter (60) and the electronically measurable signal converter (50) of the muon signal is supplied from a power supply (40), e.g. an external source, such as a single battery module, rather than from separate sources. The power required by the interface element (80) is supplied from a power supply (40), such as a battery, for example from an external source.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A muon flux measuring device (Me) configured to be located on the ground (E) or under the ground (E) in liquid medium (D), characterized in that it comprises: at least one detector material (20) sensitive to the passage of muons for the detection of atmospheric muon (10) passage, at least one muon signal carrier (30) which directs the muon signal from said detector material (20), at least one muon signal converter (50) which converts a signal from said muon signal carrier (30) into an electrical signal, at least one analog / digital converter (60) which converts a signal from said muon signal converter (50) into a digital signal, at least one counter (70) which counts the signal from said analog / digital converter (60), at least one power supply (40) for supplying power to at least said muon signal converter (50), the analog / digital converter (60) and the counter (70).

2. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a power supply (40) which supplies power to the electronically measurable signal converter (50) of at least said muon signal, the analog / digital converter (60), and the counter (70).

3. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises multiple power supplies (40) which supply the electronically measurable signal converter (50) of at least said muon signal, the analog / digital converter (60), and the counter (70).

4. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one said power supply (40) which is provided as an external source.

5. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one said power supply (40) which is provided as an internal source.

6. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises said muon signal converter (50) and analog / digital signal converter (60), which are configured as a single module.

7. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an electronically measurable signal converter (50) of said muon signal, and an analog / digital signal converter (60), and a counter (70), which are configured as a single module.

8. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a liquid-tight body.

9. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a liquid-tight body.

10. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a body configured to contain at least the detector material (20), the muon signal carrier (30), the muon signal converter (50), the analog / digital converter (60), and the counter (70).

11. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one interface element (80) which informs a user using the data from said counter (70).

12. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one said interface element (80) configured to provide a real-time audible and / or visual and / or virtual alert upon a decrease in the instantaneous muon flux due to the presence of an object.

13. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises said counter (70), which transmits data instantly to said interface element (80), and said interface element (80), which instantly informs a user depending on the data it receives.

14. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a processing unit configured to calculate parameters such as the length, diameter and velocity of the object, which may be required for the diagnosis of the object (C), with measurements obtained by multiple muon flux measuring devices (Me).

15. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises said detector material (20) provided as a scintillator.

16. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises said detector material (20) provided as a Geiger tube.

17. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a Cherenkov detector, which includes said muon signal carrier (30), the signal converter (50) and the anal og / digi tai converter (60) and the counter (70).

18. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a Cherenkov detector, which includes said muon signal carrier (30), the signal converter (50) and the anal og / digi tai converter (60).

19. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises said Cherenkov detector, which contains said muon signal carrier (30), and the signal converter (50).

20. A muon flux measuring device (Me) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises said muon signal converter (50), which is provided as a photomultiplier tube or as a silicon photomultiplier.

21. A muon flux measuring system comprising multiple muon flux measuring devices (Me) according to any one of the preceding claims.

22. A system according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises at least said power supply (40) to supply power to multiple muon flux measuring devices (Me).

3. A system according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises at least one processing unit which measures parameters such as the length, diameter and velocity of the object for the diagnosis of the object (C) by processing the data obtained by multiple muon flux measuring devices (Me).

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