Muon Survey Tomography Based On Micromegas Detectors For Unreachable
Sites Technology (MUST^2). Principles, Experimental Results And
Overlook
Abstract
Transmission muography is an expanding technique based on the
attenuation of the natural-occurring cosmic muons flux due to the
opacity of the medium to obtain the distribution of density around the
detector. The current work introduces the technology developed by the
Temporal Tomography of the Densitometry by the Measurement of Muons
(T2DM2) collaboration. The MUST2 camera leans on a thin time projection
chamber read by a resistive Micromegas. This new tool presents
interesting distinctive features, allowing a wide angular acceptance of
the detector with a low weight and volume, well adapted for confined
spaces or underground operation. The results obtained from field
measurement campaign carried out at the dam overlooking the village of
Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt (South-East of France) are presented. The
influences of (i) the host rock body of the barrage and dam’s structure,
(ii) the temporal water level variations of the reservoir and (iii) the
effect of the temperature on the muons flux measurements are discussed
The main challenge that faces the project is that the muon trajectory
reconstruction algorithm cannot infer the arrival angles for a
non-negligible number of detected events, with the subsequent loss of
information. The data collected during the campaign of measurements,
should help improving the algorithm’s robustness and reconstruction
efficiency. Field transportability and the capability to perform
long-term out-of-lab measurements have been demonstrated. The successful
proof-of-concept trial makes the MUST2 camera a valuable candidate for
transmission muography purposes, particularly in challenging available
volume scenarios. The next phase of the T2DM2 project aims at imaging
and monitoring the hydrodynamics across the unsaturated zone of the
Fontaine-de Vaucluse aquifer. To do so, a network of 20 autonomous
detectors will be constructed and deployed within the facilities of the
Low Background Noise Laboratory of Rustrel (LSBB), France. The
privileged emplacement of the LSBB allows the access to both the surface
and to a network of 4 km of underground galleries with depths ranging
from 0 to 518 m.