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The natural electron accelerator in the clouds above Aragats high-altitude research station in Armenia operates continuously in 2017 providing more than 100 Thunderstorm Ground enhancements (TGEs). Most important discovery based on analysis of 2017 data is observation and detailed description of the long-lasting TGEs. We present TGE catalog for 2 broad classes according to presence or absence of the high-energy particles. In the catalog was summarized several key parameters of the TGEs and related meteorological and atmospheric discharge observations. The statistical analysis of the data collected in tables reveals the months when TGEs are more frequent, the daytime when TGEs mostly occurred, the mean distance to lightning flash that terminates TGE and many other interesting relations. Separately was discussed the sharp count rate decline and following removal of high-energy particles from the TGE flux after a lightning flash. ADEI multivariate visualization and statistical analysis platform make analytical work on sophisticated problems rather easy; one can try and test many hypotheses very fast and come to a definite conclusion allowing crosscheck and validation

To catalyze transformative advancements in High-energy Physics in the Atmosphere (HEPA), a comprehensive understanding of particle fluxes, electric fields, and lightning occurrences across atmospheric layers is imperative. This paper elucidates the instrumentation and capabilities of the Aragats Space-Environmental Center (ASEC), which encompasses measurement tools for various cosmic ray species, near-surface electric fields, and lightning events integrated across high-mountain research station at slopes of Mt. Aragats and the highest mountains of Eastern Europe and Germany. Through these measurements, we aim to elucidate models of particle acceleration mechanisms and the charge distribution within the lower atmosphere. We introduce an Advanced Data Extraction Infrastructure (ADEI) integrated with sophisticated statistical analysis tools to facilitate rapid access to this wealth of data. Despite the significance of these atmospheric processes, the intricate interplay between thundercloud electrification, lightning activity, wideband radio emissions, and particle fluxes remains poorly understood. A particularly compelling avenue of inquiry lies in exploring the relationship between high-energy atmospheric phenomena, intracloud electric fields, and lightning initiation. Furthermore, investigations into accelerated structures within geospace plasmas hold promise for shedding light on particle acceleration processes, potentially extending to higher energies within analogous structures in cosmic plasmas. This paper also examines practical methodologies for extracting meaningful physical insights from temporal datasets, such as correlating surges in particle flux intensity with variations in near-surface electric field strength and precipitation patterns. Additionally, we explore the utility of wideband field and interferometer antenna signals in this context, offering valuable avenues for further research and analysis. Through these endeavors, we aim to deepen our understanding of high-energy atmospheric processes and their broader implications for terrestrial and cosmic phenomena.

During operation of high energy physics experiments a big amount of slow control data is recorded. It is necessary to examine all collected data checking the integrity and validity of measurements. With growing maturity of AJAX technologies it becomes possible to construct sophisticated interfaces using web technologies only. Our solution for handling time series, generally slow control data, has a modular architecture: backend system for data analysis and preparation, a web service interface for data access and a fast AJAX web display. In order to provide fast interactive access the time series are aggregated over time slices of few predefined lengths. The aggregated values are stored in the temporary caching database and, then, are used to create generalizing data plots. These plots may include indication of data quality and are generated within few hundreds of milliseconds even if very high data rates are involved. The extensible export subsystem provides data in multiple formats including CSV, Excel, ROOT, and TDMS. The search engine can be used to find periods of time where indications of selected sensors are falling into the specified ranges. Utilization of the caching database allows performing most of such lookups within a second. Based on this functionality a web interface facilitating fast (Google-maps style) navigation through the data has been implemented. The solution is at the moment used by several slow control systems at Test Facility for Fusion Magnets (TOSKA) and Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN).

Since the discovery of neutrino oscillations, we know that neutrinos have non-zero mass. However, the absolute neutrino-mass scale remains unknown. Here we report the upper limits on effective electron anti-neutrino mass, m ν , from the second physics run of the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino experiment. In this experiment, m ν is probed via a high-precision measurement of the tritium β -decay spectrum close to its endpoint. This method is independent of any cosmological model and does not rely on assumptions whether the neutrino is a Dirac or Majorana particle. By increasing the source activity and reducing the background with respect to the first physics campaign, we reached a sensitivity on m ν of 0.7 eV  c –2  at a 90% confidence level (CL). The best fit to the spectral data yields m ν 2  = (0.26 ± 0.34) eV 2   c –4 , resulting in an upper limit of m ν  < 0.9 eV  c –2  at 90% CL. By combining this result with the first neutrino-mass campaign, we find an upper limit of m ν  < 0.8 eV  c –2 at 90% CL. In its second measurement campaign, the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino experiment achieved a sub-electronvolt sensitivity on the effective electron anti-neutrino mass.

For a reliable and timely forecast of Space Weather world-wide networks of particle detectors are located at different latitudes, longitudes and altitudes. To provide better integration of these networks the data acquisition system is facing a challenge to establish reliable data exchange between multiple network nodes which are often located in hardly accessible locations and operated by small research groups. In this article we want to present a data acquisition system for new establishing SEVAN (Space Environmental Viewing and Analysis Network) elaborated on top of free open-source technologies. Our solution is organized as a distributed network of uniform components connected by standard interfaces. The main component is URCS (Unified Readout and Control Server) which controls frontend electronics, collects data and makes preliminary analysis. The URCS operates fully autonomous. Essential characteristics of software components and electronics are remotely controllable via a dynamic web interface, the data is stored locally for certain amount of time and distributed on request to other nodes over web services. To simplify data exchange with collaborating groups we are using an extensible XML based format for data dissemination. The data acquisition system at Aragats Space Environmental Center in Armenia was started November, 2006. Seven particle monitors are located at 2000 and 3200 meters above sea level at a distance of 40 and 60 km from data analysis servers in Yerevan, Armenia. The reliability of the service was proofed by continuous monitoring of incident cosmic ray flux.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) community have joined hands to deploy arrays of small, inexpensive instruments around the world. The small instrument programme is envisioned as a partnership between instrument providers, and instrument hosts in developing countries as one of United Nations Basic Space Science (UNBSS) activity. A network of particle detectors located at middle to low latitudes, Space Environmental Viewing and Analysis Network (SEVAN), aims to improve fundamental research of the particle acceleration in the vicinity of the sun and the space environment. The new type of particle detectors will simultaneously measure changing fluxes of most species of secondary cosmic rays, thus turning into a powerful integrated device used for exploration of solar modulation effects. The first SEVAN modules are under test operation at Aragats Space Environmental Center in Armenia. The network will grow in 2008 by detectors deployed in Croatia, Bulgaria and India. We present the first results of SEVAN module operation as well as a description of the DAQ electronics and software.

Operating in a wide temperature interval controlled liquid crystal optical filter for the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges, combined with video surveillance devices, is described. The configurations of the filter using liquid crystal cells with a twist, homeotropic and planar orientations are considered. It is shown that the change in the transmission depending on the attached control voltage, typical for a neutral filter, is shown by the twisted cell. The effect of the filter on the angular resolution of the video camera is evaluated.

In the present report, we describe the NaI particle detector network and present the first results of the experiment demonstrating that the particle fluxes from the atmospheric electron accelerators can cover large areas on the earth surface.

Precision spectroscopy of the electron spectrum of the tritium β -decay near the kinematic endpoint is a direct method to determine the effective electron antineutrino mass. The KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment aims to determine this quantity with a sensitivity of better than 0.3 eV ( 90 %  C.L.). An inhomogeneous electric potential in the tritium source of KATRIN can lead to distortions of the β -spectrum, which directly impact the neutrino-mass observable. This effect can be quantified through precision spectroscopy of the conversion-electrons of co-circulated metastable 83 m Kr . Therefore, dedicated, several-weeks long measurement campaigns have been performed within the KATRIN data taking schedule. In this work, we infer the tritium source potential observables from these measurements, and present their implications for the neutrino-mass determination.

The projected sensitivity of the effective electron neutrino-mass measurement with the KATRIN experiment is below 0.3 eV (90 % CL) after 5 years of data acquisition. The sensitivity is affected by the increased rate of the background electrons from KATRIN’s main spectrometer. A special shifted-analysing-plane (SAP) configuration was developed to reduce this background by a factor of two. The complex layout of electromagnetic fields in the SAP configuration requires a robust method of estimating these fields. We present in this paper a dedicated calibration measurement of the fields using conversion electrons of gaseous 83m Kr, which enables the neutrino-mass measurements in the SAP configuration.