FACT – Performance of the First Cherenkov Telescope Observing with SiPMs


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Date

2018

Publication Type

Conference Paper

ETH Bibliography

yes

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Abstract

The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT) is pioneering the usage of silicon photo mul- tipliers (SiPMs also known as G-APDs) for the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique. It is located at the Observatorio Roque de los Muchachos on the Canary island of La Palma. Since first light in October 2011, it is monitoring bright TeV blazars in the northern sky. By now, FACT is the only imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope operating with S I PMs on a nightly basis. Over the course of the last five years, FACT has been demonstrating their reliability and excel- lent performance. Moreover, their robustness allowed for an increase of the duty cycle including nights with strong moon light without the need for UV-filters. In this contribution, we will present the performance of the first Cherenkov telescope using solid state photo sensors, which was determined in analysis of data from Crab Nebula, the so called standard candle in gamma-ray astronomy. The presented analysis chain utilizes modern data mining methods and unfolding techniques to obtain the energy spectrum of this source. The characteristical results of such an analysis will be reported providing, e. g., the angular and energy resolution of FACT, as well as, the energy spectrum of the Crab Nebula. Furthermore, these results are discussed in the context of the performance of coexisting Cherenkov telescopes.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Proceedings of the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2017)

Volume

301

Pages / Article No.

791

Publisher

Sissa Medialab

Event

35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2017)

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Organisational unit

08823 - Biland, Adrian (Tit.-Prof.) check_circle

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