Geiger avalanche photodiodes as tentative light detectors for VHE gamma ray astronomy |
| |
Authors: | D Pellion K Jradi A Le Padellec A Rennane F Moutier V Borrel D Esteve C Magenc A R Bazer-Bachi |
| |
Institution: | 1.Université de Toulouse; UPS; CESR,Toulouse Cedex 9,France;2.CNRS,Toulouse,France;3.Université de Toulouse; UPS; LAAS,Toulouse,France;4.CNRS,Toulouse,France |
| |
Abstract: | Due to its sensitivity and speed, the detector still widely used in Cerenkov astrophysics experiments remains the PhotoMultiplier
Tube (PMT). For instance, recent pathbreaking experiments in Very High Energy astrophysics (VHE), such as MAGIC and HESS,
have used mainstream PMT technology Aharonian, F. et al Astron. Astrophys. 492(1):L25–L28 (2008)]. Moreover the Cerenkov Telescope Array (CTA) which is now in its design phase, is also planed to be based on PMT’s. However,
there are some disadvantages to the PMT technology: the rather poor quantum efficiency, the use of high voltages, the high
cost when used in large number in a matrix arrangement and the large weight. Hence, we have investigated the possibility to
design future Cerenkov telescopes based on solid state technology, specifically Geiger avalanche photodiodes. In a preliminary
development test, we placed HAMAMATSU avalanche photodiodes at the focal plane of a 60 cm diameter telescope at the Pic du
Midi in the French Pyrénées, in order to record incident cosmic rays. In this paper, we describe not only the experimental
setup but we also put special emphasis to the reduction of the semi-conductor noise. We also show first data that were recorded
during two runs in the fall of 2006, and conclude by the presentation of the design of an “integrated, low-cost solid state
photodiode arrangement” which might be an alternative to PMT’s for future VHE telescopes. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|