Mechanical structure

 

Two detectors compose the MuTe: a hodoscope and a water Cherenkov detector (WCD) supported by a metallic frame. The frame is a parallelepiped (4.2 m x 2.8 m x 1.8 m) made of ASTM A-36 stainless steel bars, 3.2 mm thickness and assembled by 0.5 inches screws. The maximum elevation angle of the telescope is 15º.

The hodoscope consists of a scintillator panel pair of 120 cm x 120 cm installed inside metallic boxes. A rail system sets the separation distance between the panels, reaching a maximum of 2.5 m. The maximum angular resolution of the hodoscope is 26.18 mrad.

A stainless steel cubic tank containing 1.7 m³ of water shapes the MuTe’s WCD. An internal Tyvek layer enhances the WCD reflectivity. A photomultiplier tube detects the Cherenkov photons generated by passing charged particles. This detector measures the energy deposited by charged particles and allows the event classification in: muons, electrons, and multiple-particle. Furthermore, the WCD is a third coincidence detector increasing the telescope signal-to-noise ratio.

Thermal simulation

The thermal behavior of the MuTe structure was simulated taking into account heat sources (by conduction, convection, and radiation) generated by environmental and functioning conditions. These processes include air temperature, solar radiation, cooling by wind, and heat generated by electronics.

Stress simulation

We examine structural affectations by vibrations caused by wind and seismicity associated with volcanic activity.

Instrument assembly