Abstract
Due to their high photon detection efficiency, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) promise to increase the sensitivity of today's fluorescence telescopes which use photomultiplier tubes to detect light originating from extensive air showers. On the other hand, drawbacks like a small sensitive area, a strong temperature dependence, a high noise rate and a reduced dynamic range have to be managed.We present plans for FAMOUS, a prototype fluorescence telescope using SiPMs and a special light collecting optical system of Winston cones to increase the sensitive area. The prototype will make use of a Fresnel lens. For several different types of SiPMs we measured their characteristics. Moreover, we will present the R&D in compact modular electronics using photon counting techniques. An evaluation of the performance of the optical telescope design is performed by means of a full detector simulation.
Highlights
The fluorescence detection of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays is a well established detection technique used for example by the Pierre Auger Observatory [1] and the Telescope Array [2]
We present plans for FAMOUS, a prototype fluorescence telescope using SiPMs and a special light collecting optical system of Winston cones to increase the sensitive area
The structure of this paper is the following: in section 2 we briefly describe the working principle of SiPMs and present some of our characterization measurements and their impact on an SiPM fluorescence telescope
Summary
The fluorescence detection of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays is a well established detection technique used for example by the Pierre Auger Observatory [1] and the Telescope Array [2]. Up to now fluorescence telescopes use photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) as the photosensitive part of their cameras These PMTs typically have maximum photon detection efficiencies ranging from 27% to 37%. These values are already reached by currently available silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). SiPMs are rather new photon detectors and much progress can be expected for future types They offer the potential for low cost mass production. They might be the right choice for the photosensitive component of a generation, large scale fluorescence detector.
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