宇宙线的探测分为地面探测和空间探测。地面探测测量的是高能宇宙线(大于100 Te V)在大气中产生的簇射的前锋面。由于低能宇宙线在大气中产生的簇射不能到达地面,所以要探测低能的宇宙线就需要把探测器送到大气层外部。空间探测宇宙线的优点是能测量低能宇宙线,并且能区分宇宙线的种类。暗物质间接探测就是在宇宙线中寻找暗物质湮灭或者衰变产生的信号,表现在宇宙线能谱上就是各种超出。所以需要准确区分宇宙线的种类,并且精确测量宇宙线的能谱。在文章中,作者将介绍宇宙线的相关理论以及空间探测暗物质的研究现状,并详细介绍将于2015年底发射的暗物质粒子探测卫星,讨论其在暗物质间接探测方面的各种优势。
There are two methods to measure cosmic rays, namely, ground detection and space detection. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ground detection measures air showers at ground level produced by high energy (greater than 100 TeV) cosmic rays. As showers of low energy (less than 100 TeV) cannot reach the ground, to measure them we need to launch the detectors into space. Space detection can not only measure low energy cosmic rays but also identify their charge. The indirect detection of dark matter particles measures the signal produced by their annihilation or decay, which are of all kinds in the energy spectrum of cosmic rays. Hence, we need to make precise measurements of the spectrum and distinguish each component type. In this paper we will review cosmic ray physics and the status of dark matter detection. The dark matter explorer satellite which will be launched at the end of this year and its advantages in indirect detection will also be discussed.