Velocity measurement of cosmic muons using the India-based Neutrino Observatory prototype detector

The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) collaboration is planning to set up a magnetized 50 kton iron-calorimeter with resistive plate chambers (RPC) as active detectors to study neutrino oscillations. A prototype detector stack (without magnet) comprising 12 layers of RPCs of 1 m×1 m in area has been set-up to track cosmic ray muons. To study its capability and the feasibility of distinguishing between up-going and down-going particles, the velocity of cosmic muons recorded in this stack has been measured. The measurement procedure, calibration and results are described here.