Simulation and Evaluation of a Polyvinyl Toluene Scintillator Detector for Muography Applications

Authors: Manar Gamal, Sayed Hemeda, Tadahiro Kin, Hany Helal, Ayman Mahrous

Abstract:

Muography leverages cosmic ray muons to visualize internal structures and identify hidden cavities within ancient constructions. The Scintillator Imaging Detector for the Egyptian Pyramids (SciDep) project specifically targets the detection of concealed chambers in the Khafre Pyramid, utilizing a polyvinyl toluene (PVT) scintillator detector. To ensure accurate and reliable detector performance in field conditions analogous to the pyramid interior, this study employs the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) combined with the PHITS-based Analytical Radiation Model in the Atmosphere (PARMA). Simulations replicate the muon interactions within a testing environment situated 11 meters underground in the tunnels at Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST). Two distinct scenarios, a void environment and a concrete-air environment, were analyzed to evaluate muon flux, energy deposition, and detection efficiency. The simulation results confirm the detector’s capability for reliable performance, informing the optimal configuration for its forthcoming deployment in field tests at the Khafre Pyramid.

Keywords: Muography, underground imaging, scintillator detector, cosmic rays.

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