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. ; Theoret, C.G. ; Williams, D.A.
Author_Institution :
Centre for Subatomic Res., Alberta Univ., Edmonton, Alta., Canada
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; gamma-ray apparatus; gamma-ray detection; photomultipliers; solar energy concentrators; Cherenkov photon collection area; Cherenkov photons; STACEE ground-based gamma-ray detector; active galactic nuclei; gamma-ray bursts; gamma-ray energy threshold; gamma-ray induced air showers; heliostats; photomultiplier tube array; pulsars; solar energy research facility; solar tower atmospheric Cherenkov effect experiment; supernova remnants; Astronomy; Educational institutions; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Mirrors; Optical imaging; Physics; Poles and towers; Solar energy; Telescopes;
Conference_Titel :
Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record, 2004 IEEE
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-8700-7
Electronic_ISBN :
1082-3654
DOI :
10.1109/NSSMIC.2004.1462067
