| Summary: | Thin-walled rift tubes have been used in conjunction with a superconducting magnet for the rigidity spectrometer aboard two recent particle astrophysics experiments flown on high altitude balloons: PBAR (a low energy antiproton search) and SMILI (the superconducting magnet instrument for light isotopes). The HEAT (high energy antimatter telescope) experiment currently under construction will also employ this technology. This paper reviews the design, construction, and in-flight operation of the PBAR and SMILI systems, as well as the design of the HEAT system which will be used in conjunction with a new superconducting magnet aboard an upcoming series of balloon experiments o study high energy positrons and antiprotons in the cosmic radiation. In addition to a brief account of the scientific goals for these flights, the prospects for future application of this technology to long duration exposures aboard antarctic balloon flights and spacecraft are discussed. 1.
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