Abstract

After testing muon lifetime, we wondered if the stacked geometry we used to collect data was really the best way to calculate muon lifetime.  We decided to test multiple geometries and determine which geometry worked best. We tested four different setups under similar conditions, and then compared the results.  We got some interesting results and came up with a conclusion that is in no way definitive, but gives some general information.

Introduction

After doing several varoius tests regarding muons, we remembered how we had calculated muon lifetime.  We hypothesized that maybe if the detectors were placed in a vertical configuration, it would give the muons more time to decay, and result in a more accurate lifetime measurement.  That led to wondering if there was any geometry that would result in better, more accurate lifetime measurements than the normal way.  We decided to explore this idea.

Procedures

In order to test our hypothesis, we decided to test four different geometries.  We did one test of a normal, stacked configuration. We tested a setup with the detectors stacked, but with lots of space in between each. We also tested when the detectors were vertical right next to each other and vertical  but spaced out. We tested each for the same amount of time, and watched the barometric pressure to make sure it didn't change too much. They were kept in a room that was the same average temperature for each test.

Results

The results we got were varied. The first geometry we used, vertical and spaced out, was a success. It provided fairly accurate data considering the fact that we collected the data in a three-story building and not in a vacuum.  Our second test, with the detectors vertical and together, was not as accurate, but it was not awful.  Our third test, a normal stacked geometry, was the most accurate. It was the only geometry in which the accepted normal muon lifetime of 2.2 microseconds was within the error range.  The last geometry we used, stacked and spaced out, was by far the worst. We tested it twice to make sure it was not the computer messing up, but they both came up with ridiculusly small muon lifetimes and had a very small amount of data.

Discussions & Conclusions

Our conclusion is that by setting up muon detectors with a normal stacked configuration or a vertical and spaced out configuration will both result in pretty accurate muon lifetime results. Although our study showed that the stacked configuration was more accurate, the two were too close to be sure without more tests run.

Bibliography

timeanddate.com