Scampoli P., Ariga A. Cosmic Ray Muography

Singapore: World Scientific, 2023. — 306 p.Muography is a term recently introduced to embrace different techniques that profit from the penetration capability of the muon component of cosmic rays to investigate the interior of large and otherwise inaccessible structures. Primary cosmic rays — high energy particles originating outside the solar system — interact with the Earth atmosphere and generate muons, particles with the same electric charge as the electron, while their mass is 200 times heavier. At the Earth's surface, cosmic muons represent the most abundant component of cosmic rays, and favourably, they can feature energies sufficiently high to penetrate even thick and dense materials, giving the opportunity of unveiling the internal structure of large volumes. Muography was made possible by the development of detectors in the field of particle physics, allowing the exploitation of this natural source for imaging in a vast variety of fields, characterizing this technique as truly interdisciplinary, and leading to significant advances in several disciplines. This book tries to cover all aspects of this methodology, with the different chapters pointing to the general physics principles, to the technological and image reconstruction challenges and to the principal applications in several fields, such as archaeology and geology but also civil and industrial applications. The volume contributors had omitted unnecessary technical details, while focusing on the main features and methodologies. Hence, the book not only targets scientists working in the field but also non-specialists, who might enjoy the reading as a tutorial.Historical Developments and Perspectives of Muography
Introduction
Historical Developments and Pioneering Works
Early works
Revealing the internal structure of a volcano
Phreatic explosion
Magma convection
Real-time monitoring and multiple exposure muography
From 2D imaging to 3D reconstruction
Mobile muography
Airborne muography
Automobile muography
Usage of AI
Muography art
Perspectives
From land to sea
From Earth to outer space
Conclusion
References
Cosmic Ray Muons
Introduction
The Primary Cosmic Radiation
Propagation of the Cosmic Radiation in the Atmosphere
Secondary icles
Muon Production
Main channels
Muon production via photopion production
Direct photoproduction of muon pairs
Muon production by neutrinos
Muon Decay
Muon Interactions and Energy Losses
General comments
Ionization losses of muons
Muon Bremsstrahlung
Direct electron pair production by muons
Direct muon pair production by muons, muon trident events
Photonuclear interactions of muons
Summary of Muon Reaction Probabilities and Energy Losses
Zenith Angle Dependence of the Atmospheric Column Density
Flat earth approximation
Curved earth atmosphere
Muon Data at Sea Level
General comments
Muon flux and energy spectra
References
Principle of Cosmic Muography — Techniques and Review
Introduction
Muon Interactions with Matter
Energy losses
Multiple Coulomb scattering
Muography Techniques
Transmission technique
Absorption technique
Multiple Coulomb Scattering (MCS) technique
Muon-induced fission neutrons
Final remarks
Summary
Appendix: Examples of Tomographic Imaging with MSC Technique and MLEM Reconstruction
Acknowledgments
References
Emulsion Detectors for Muography
Introduction
Emulsion Detectors
History
Detection mechanism
Performance
Scanning system
Measurement procedure
Development of Emulsion Detector for Muon Radiography
Emulsion stability
Background rejection
Selection of tracks during observation
Removal of low-energy noise
Effects of environmental radiation
Mass production
Scanning speed
Summary
References
Real-time Detectors for Muography
Real-time Detectors
Scintillator-based detectors
Scintillation process
Photodetection
Examples
Gas detectors
Examples
Cherenkov detectors
Portable devices
References
Three-Dimensional Muography and Image Reconstruction Using the Filtered Back-Projection Method
Introduction
Filtered Back-Projection for Multi-Directional Muography
Projection and back-projection
Filtered back-projection
Three-dimensional imaging with the cone-beam approximation
Application to multi-directional muographic imaging of a volcano
Performance Estimation with a Forward Modeling Simulation
Models, assumptions, parameters, and procedures
Results
Discussion
Conclusions and Future Prospects
Acknowledgments
References
Muography and Geology: Volcanoes, Natural Caves, and Beyond
Introduction
Muography Basics: Direct and Inverse Problem
Detecting muons: The direct problem
From data to images: The inverse problem
From Volcanoes to Geotechnical Imaging
Pioneering works in Japan
Diaphane and the Soufrière of Guadeloupe
MURAVES (Vesuvius) and TOMUVOL (Puy-de-Dôme)
Nuclear reactor investigation
From Natural Caves to Civil Engineering
The underground Mont Terri laboratory: Geological muography
Observation of Su2Den Stratospheric Warmings event
Tunnel-boring machines
Conclusions
References
Muography and Geology: Alpine Glaciers
Introduction
Emulsion Detectors and Field Observations
Data and Analysis
Results
Discussion
Future Prospects
References
Muography and Archaeology
Introduction
Egyptian Pyramids
Khafre’s Pyramid
ScanPyramids
Bent Pyramid
Khufu’s Pyramid
Ancient Mesoamerican Civilization
Pyramid of the Sun
Copan
Ancient Civilization in ItalyIn the underground areas of Italian cities
Subterranean remains
Underground cavities
Ancient mines
Japanese Burial Mounds
Summary
References
Civil and Industrial Applications of Muography
Introduction
Muon Geotomography for Subsurface Exploration
Mining industry
Tunnels and other underground civil engineering structures
Portable borehole muon detectors for industrial and civil applications
Muography of Civil and Industrial Structures
Monitoring of blast furnaces
Inspection of the Unit- reactor at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Exploring the inner structure of buildings
Search for a iron hoop inside the Florence Cathedral’s Dome
Detection of rebars in concrete
Non-destructive testing of industrial equipment using muon radiography
Nuclear Controls
Inspection of dry storage casks
Imaging of intermediate level nuclear waste drums
Vehicle and cargo scanning for nuclear contraband
Search for radioactive sources in scrap metal
Muon Metrology for Civil and Industrial Applications
References