Characterization of an MPPC-Based Scintillator Telescope and Measurement of Cosmic Muon Angular Distribution

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Main Authors: Manithottathil, Sahla, Gupta, Anuj, Kumar, Mudit, Poonthottathil, Navaneeth
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Manithottathil, Sahla
Gupta, Anuj
Kumar, Mudit
Poonthottathil, Navaneeth
author_facet Manithottathil, Sahla
Gupta, Anuj
Kumar, Mudit
Poonthottathil, Navaneeth
contents This report presents the design, characterization, and application of a high-sensitivity optical detection system based on plastic scintillators coupled to Multi-Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs). The primary objective was to evaluate the performance of MPPCs (Silicon Photomultipliers) as robust, low-voltage alternatives to traditional photomultiplier tubes for detecting faint scintillation light. The optoelectronic properties of the sensors were analyzed, including single-photoelectron gain calibration and dark count rate measurements, to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. By embedding wavelength-shifting fibers to enhance light collection efficiency, the system was configured into a three-fold coincidence telescope. The angular distribution of the cosmic ray muon flux was measured to validate the detector's stability and geometric acceptance. Fitting the experimental data to a $\bm{\cos^n(θ)}$ distribution yielded an angular exponent of $\bm{n = 1.44 \pm 0.06}$, consistent with literature values. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the MPPC-scintillator coupling for precise photon counting and timing applications in high-energy physics instrumentation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_16297
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Characterization of an MPPC-Based Scintillator Telescope and Measurement of Cosmic Muon Angular Distribution
Manithottathil, Sahla
Gupta, Anuj
Kumar, Mudit
Poonthottathil, Navaneeth
Instrumentation and Detectors
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
High Energy Physics - Experiment
This report presents the design, characterization, and application of a high-sensitivity optical detection system based on plastic scintillators coupled to Multi-Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs). The primary objective was to evaluate the performance of MPPCs (Silicon Photomultipliers) as robust, low-voltage alternatives to traditional photomultiplier tubes for detecting faint scintillation light. The optoelectronic properties of the sensors were analyzed, including single-photoelectron gain calibration and dark count rate measurements, to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. By embedding wavelength-shifting fibers to enhance light collection efficiency, the system was configured into a three-fold coincidence telescope. The angular distribution of the cosmic ray muon flux was measured to validate the detector's stability and geometric acceptance. Fitting the experimental data to a $\bm{\cos^n(θ)}$ distribution yielded an angular exponent of $\bm{n = 1.44 \pm 0.06}$, consistent with literature values. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the MPPC-scintillator coupling for precise photon counting and timing applications in high-energy physics instrumentation.
title Characterization of an MPPC-Based Scintillator Telescope and Measurement of Cosmic Muon Angular Distribution
topic Instrumentation and Detectors
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
High Energy Physics - Experiment
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.16297