MEGAlib: simulation and data analysis for low-to-medium-energy gamma-ray telescopes

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Zoglauer ◽  
Robert Andritschke ◽  
Steven E. Boggs ◽  
Florian Schopper ◽  
Georg Weidenspointner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Medium Energy ◽  
Energy Gamma ◽  
Gamma Ray Telescopes

scholarly journals MEGA: the next generation Medium Energy Gamma-ray Telescope

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Ryan ◽  
Robert Andritschke ◽  
Peter F. Bloser ◽  
James P. Cravens ◽  
Michael L. Cherry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Medium Energy ◽  
Energy Gamma

scholarly journals A combined Compton and coded-aperture telescope for medium-energy gamma-ray astrophysics

2018 ◽  
Vol 614 ◽  
pp. A93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Galloway ◽  
Andreas Zoglauer ◽  
Steven E. Boggs ◽  
Mark Amman
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Galactic Center ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Compact Objects ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Medium Energy ◽  
Energy Gamma ◽  
Coded Mask

A future mission in medium-energy gamma-ray astrophysics would allow for many scientific advancements, such as a possible explanation for the excess positron emission from the Galactic center, a better understanding of nucleosynthesis and explosion mechanisms in Type Ia supernovae, and a look at the physical forces at play in compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars. Additionally, further observation in this energy regime would significantly extend the search parameter space for low-mass dark matter. In order to achieve these objectives, an instrument with good energy resolution, good angular resolution, and high sensitivity is required. In this paper we present the design and simulation of a Compton telescope consisting of cubic-centimeter cadmium zinc telluride detectors as absorbers behind a silicon tracker with the addition of a passive coded mask. The goal of the design was to create a very sensitive instrument that is capable of high angular resolution. The simulated telescope achieved energy resolutions of 1.68% FWHM at 511 keV and 1.11% at 1809 keV, on-axis angular resolutions in Compton mode of 2.63° FWHM at 511 keV and 1.30° FWHM at 1809 keV, and is capable of resolving sources to at least 0.2° at lower energies with the use of the coded mask. An initial assessment of the instrument in Compton-imaging mode yields an effective area of 183 cm2 at 511 keV and an anticipated all-sky sensitivity of 3.6 × 10−6 photons cm−2 s−1 for a broadened 511 keV source over a two-year observation time. Additionally, combining a coded mask with a Compton imager to improve point-source localization for positron detection has been demonstrated.

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