Cawley, Michael F. and Weekes, T.C. (1995) Instrumentation for very high energy gamma-ray astronomy. Experimental Astronomy, 6 (1-2). pp. 7-42. ISSN 0922-6435

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Abstract

Considerable progress has been made in the last half-decade in the field of very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy (photons with energies between 1011 and 1013 eV). The high background level due to the isotropic cosmic ray flux which has bedevilled the field since its inception in the early 1960's can now be reduced to such a degree that significant gamma-ray signals from several sources become visible within a few hours of observation. The instrumentation and methodologies which have made this possible are reviewed. A brief historical introduction is followed by a summary of the salient properties of the atmospheric Cherenkov flash associated with VHE gamma-ray events. The major components of a VHE gamma-ray astronomy telescope are then reviewed. This is followed by a discussion of the different methodologies currently being used to discriminate against the cosmic ray background. Properties of several specific installations are then summarized, and possible future developments in VHE instrumentation are briefly discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Cite this article as: Cawley, M.F. & Weekes, T.C. Exp Astron (1995) 6: 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421124
Keywords:	Gamma-ray Astronomy; Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique ;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Experimental Physics
Item ID:	9956
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421124
Depositing User:	Dr. Michael Cawley
Date Deposited:	18 Sep 2018 16:59
Journal or Publication Title:	Experimental Astronomy
Publisher:	Kluwer Academic Publishers
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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