Speaker
Dr
Daniela Dorner
(Universität Würzburg)
Description
Apart from long-term monitoring of bright TeV blazars, the major goal of the First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT) was the proof of principle for silicon based photosensors (Geier-mode Avalanche Photodiodes aka SiPM) in Cherenkov Astronomy. In 2.5 years of operation so far, FACT demonstrated that the stable and homogeneous performance of G-APDs allows for automatic and remote operation providing a high data taking efficiency. Since installation, no single problem in the focal plane occurred. Keeping the gain stable with a feedback system, consistent results independent of changes in the ambient light and sensor temperature are provided. As SiPMs do not show ageing when exposed to strong ambient light, their usage allows to extend the duty cycle of the telescope.
Reliability and automation play an important role in future projects like the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). Allowing for a stable performance of the detector, G-APDs are therefore a promising option as photosensors.
In the presentation, the experiences and results from FACT will be discussed.
Primary author
Dr
Daniela Dorner
(Universität Würzburg)
Co-author
Collaboration FACT
(FACT Project)
