The estimation of background production by cosmic rays in high-energy gamma ray telescopes

H.L Edwards,D.J Thompson,E.B Hughes,C.E Fichtel,Y.C Lin,G Kanhack,S.D Hunter,D.L Bertsch,P.L Nolan,D.A Kniffen,R.C Hartman,D.G Koch,E Schneid,M Sommer,B.W Hughlock

doi:10.1109/23.289356

The estimation of background production by cosmic rays in high-energy gamma ray telescopes

H.L Edwards, D.J Thompson + Show 13 more

https://doi.org/10.1109/23.289356

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Journal: IRE Transactions on Nuclear Science	Publication Date: Apr 1, 1991
Citations: 4

Affiliation: Goddard Space Flight Center, Stanford University, The Aerospace Corporation, Max Planck Society

#High-energy Gamma Ray Telescopes #Ray Telescopes + Show 8 more

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Abstract

A calculation method of estimating instrumental background in high-energy gamma -ray telescopes, using the hadronic Monte Carlo code FLUKA87, is presented. The method is applied to the SAS-2 and EGRET telescope designs and is also used to explore the level of background to be expected for alternative configurations of the proposed GRITS telescope, which adapts the external fuel tank of a Space Shuttle as a gamma -ray telescope with a very large collecting area. The background produced in proton-beam tests of EGRET is much less than the predicted level. This discrepancy appears to be due to the FLUKA87 inability to transport evaporation nucleons. It is predicted that the background in EGRET will be no more than 4-10 % of the extragalactic diffuse gamma radiation. >

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