Title :
The STACEE ground-based gamma-ray detector
Author :
Gingrich, D.M. ; Boone, L.M. ; Bramel, D. ; Carson, J. ; Covault, C.E. ; Fortin, P. ; Hanna, D.S. ; Hinton, J.A. ; Jarvis, A. ; Kildea, J. ; Lindner, T. ; Mueller, C. ; Mukherjee, R. ; Ong, R.A. ; Ragan, K. ; Scalzo, R.A. ; Théoret, C.G. ; Williams, D.A.
Author_Institution :
Centre for Subatomic Res., Univ. of Alberta, Vancouver, BC
Abstract :
We describe the design and performance of the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE) in its complete configuration. STACEE uses the heliostats of a solar energy research facility to collect and focus the Cherenkov photons produced in gamma-ray induced air showers. The light is concentrated onto an array of photomultiplier tubes located near the top of a tower. The large Cherenkov photon collection area of STACEE results in a gamma-ray energy threshold below that of previous ground-based detectors. STACEE is being used to observe pulsars, supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, and gamma-ray bursts
Keywords :
Cherenkov counters; active galaxies; cosmic ray apparatus; cosmic ray showers; galactic nuclei; gamma-ray astronomy; gamma-ray bursts; gamma-ray detection; photomultipliers; pulsars; solar energy concentrators; supernova remnants; Cherenkov photon collection area; STACEE; active galactic nuclei; coincidence detection; delay circuit; gamma-ray astronomy detectors; gamma-ray bursts; gamma-ray energy; gamma-ray induced air showers; ground-based gamma-ray detector; heliostats; photomultiplier tubes; pulsars; solar energy research facility; solar tower atmospheric Cherenkov effect experiment; supernova remnants; Astronomy; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Gamma rays; Physics; Poles and towers; Solar energy; Space technology; Telescopes; USA Councils; Cherenkov detectors; Gamma-ray astronomy detectors; coincidence detection; cosmic rays; delay circuit; triggering;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TNS.2005.855705
