Indirect measurement of secondary-particle distributions by an Au activation method at the KEK neutrino target station

Gold activation detectors were placed at nine positions on the inner wall of the KEK neutrino target station, and were exposed to secondary particles during approximately one month of machine operation. After exposure, the production rates of 19 spallation nuclides, which were produced in the Au activation detectors by nuclear reactions with different threshold energies, were determined by γ-ray spectrometry. Thus, it was indicated that the Au activation detector is a novel tool for obtaining the distribution of various secondary particles with high intensity and high energy. (author)