A Run-Wise Simulation and Analysis Framework for Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope Arrays

We introduce a new simulation and analysis paradigm for Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (IACT) arrays, simulating the actual observation conditions as well as individual telescope configuration for each observation unit. Compared to existing frameworks, where simulations are usually generated using pre-defined settings, this run-wise simulation approach implies more realistic simulations and hence reduced systematic uncertainties. The computational effort of this dedicated simulation concept is notably independent of the amount of different observation configurations but just scales linearly with observation time. This corresponds to a large advantage for increasingly complex current and future IACT arrays where the size of the phase space makes it computationally unfeasible to generate simulations that reach the requirements regarding systematics using the classical simulation scheme.
Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physics