1. FACT - The first G-APD Cherenkov telescope (first results).
- Author
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Bretz, T., Dorner, D., Backes, M., Biland, A., Buß, J., Commichau, V., Djambazov, L., Eisenacher, D., Grimm, O., von Gunten, H., Hildebrand, D., Krähenbühl, T., Lustermann, W., Lyard, E., Mannheim, K., Neise, D., Overkemping, A.-K., Paravac, A., Pauss, F., and Rhode, W.
- Subjects
CHERENKOV radiation ,TELESCOPES ,PHOTODIODES ,ENERGY consumption ,SENSITIVITY analysis ,PHOTOMULTIPLIERS ,GAMMA ray astronomy - Abstract
In October 2011, the first air-Cherenkov telescope utilizing Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes commenced operations. The silicon-based devices display several advantages compared to classical photomultiplier tubes allowing for a more compact camera design of higher reliability, lower power consumption and bias voltage, and better prospects for improving the photon detection efficiency. Here, the first physics results are presented from a few months of data taking. Although still preliminary, the results already show a superb fidelity of the data, demonstrating the potential of avalanche photodiodes for ground-based gamma ray astronomy. The stability and high sensitivity are ideal for remote monitoring observations of variable gamma-ray sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
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