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Modelling radiation loads to detectors in a SNAP mission.
N V Mokhov1, I L Rakhno, S I Striganov
1Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, MS 220, Batavia, IL 60510-0500, USA. mokhov@fnal.gov
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|April 11, 2006
Summary
Radiation exposure from trapped protons is predicted to degrade Supernova Acceleration Project (SNAP) optical detectors by 40% over four years. Shielding optimization can significantly reduce this performance loss.
Area of Science:
- Space Science
- Astrophysics
- Radiation Physics
Background:
- Optical detectors in space missions are susceptible to radiation damage.
- The Supernova Acceleration Project (SNAP) requires highly sensitive optical detectors for its mission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the radiation-induced degradation of SNAP optical detectors.
- To model the radiation environment at the satellite's orbit.
- To predict performance degradation and identify mitigation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Developed a three-dimensional model of the SNAP satellite.
- Utilized the MARS14 Monte Carlo code for radiation transport simulation.
- Accounted for galactic cosmic rays and trapped radiation belt particles.
Main Results:
- Trapped protons are the primary contributors to the accumulated dose in photo-detectors.
- A 40% performance degradation is predicted for optical detectors over a four-year mission.
- The contribution of primary alpha particles was also estimated.
Conclusions:
- Radiation from trapped protons poses a significant threat to SNAP's optical detector performance.
- Shielding optimization is crucial for mitigating radiation damage and ensuring mission success.
- Further studies can refine shielding designs to minimize detector degradation.