Mirror characterization for use in Cherenkov telescopes

• Grant number: 12/23676-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Vitor de Souza Filho
• Grantee: Jessica Dipold
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project has the aim to characterize mirror to be used inCherenkov telescopes. In particular we intend to contribute to theconstruction of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). CTA is aninternational collaboration which intends to construct a newgeneration of ground gamma ray telescopes to study astroparticlephysics among other subjects of astrophysical interest. The plan is tobuild hundreds of telescopes in three different configurations inorder to detect gamma rays with energies between 10 GeV and 100TeV. Ground based gamma ray telescopes have been proved to producevery interesting results over the last two decades. The CTAexperiment, which will have 10 times more sensitivity than anycurrently operating gamma ray telescope, is presently at the studyphase and choice of sites. In 2013 the prototypes are going to bebuilt and in 2014 the Observatory should start to be built. In thelast two years we have contributed to the development of coatingsurfaces for the mirrors. This project is an extension of thiswork. We propose to characterize the mirrors in the environmentalconditions in which they are supposed to work. We will measure thedeformation of the mirror due to the exposition and we will quantifythe probability of condensation.The conditions in which condensation is formed are going to bemeasured and analyzed using a mathematical model. The lifetime of themirror and the working conditions of the telescopes dependsdramatically on the present of condensation on the mirror therefore weexpect to give an important contribution to the construction and siteselection of CTA. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DIPOLD, J.; MEDINA, M. C.; GARCIA, B.; RASZTOCKY, E.; MANCILLA, A.; MAYA, J.; LARRARTE, J. J.; DE SOUZA, V.. On-site mirror facet condensation measurements for the Cherenkov Telescope Array. NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SP, v. 830, p. 407-416, SEP 11 2016. (12/23676-7)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

DIPOLD, Jessica. Mirror characterizing for Cherenkov telescopes. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT) São Carlos.