1. The calibration of the first Large-Sized Telescope of the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayS. Sakurai, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) represents the next generation of very high-energy gamma-ray observatory, which will provide broad coverage of gamma rays from 20 GeV to 300 TeV with unprecedented sensitivity. CTA will employ three different sizes of telescopes, and the Large-Sized Telescopes (LSTs) of 23-m diameter dish will provide the sensitivity in the lowest energies down to 20 GeV. The first LST prototype has been inaugurated in October 2018 at La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) and has entered the commissioning phase. The camera of the LST consists of 265 PMT modules. Each module is equipped with seven high-quantum-efficiency Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs), a slow control board, and a readout board. Ensuring high uniformity and precise characterization of the camera is the key aspects leading to the best performance and low systematic uncertainty of the LST cameras. Therefore, prior to the installation on site, we performed a quality check of all PMT modules. Moreover, the absolute calibration of light throughput is essential to reconstruct the amount of light received by the telescope. The amount of light is affected by the atmosphere, by the telescope optical system and camera, and can be calibrated using the ring-shaped images produced by cosmic-ray muons. In this contribution, we will show the results of off-site quality control of PMT modules and on-site calibration using muon rings. We will also highlight the status of the development of Silicon Photomultiplier modules that could be considered as a replacement of PMT modules for further improvement of the camera. Keywords: very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, Large-Sized Telescopes (LSTs), LST-1 calibration, Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) Published in RUNG: 14.11.2024; Views: 534; Downloads: 8
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2. The Cherenkov transparency coefficient for the atmospheric monitoring and array calibration at the Cherenkov Telescope Array SouthStanislav Stefanik, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Reconstruction of energies of very-high-energy γ–rays observed by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes is affected by changes in the atmospheric conditions and the performance of telescope components. Reliable calibration schemes aimed at these effects are necessary for the forthcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) to achieve its goals on the maximally allowed systematic uncertainty of the global energy scale. A possible means of estimating the atmospheric attenuation of Cherenkov light is the method of the Cherenkov transparency coefficient (CTC). The CTC is calculated using the telescope detection rates, dominated by the steady cosmic ray background, while properly correcting for the hardware and observational conditions.
The coefficient can also be used to relatively calibrate the optical throughput of telescopes on the assumption of homogeneous atmospheric transparency above the array. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate here the potential of the CTC method for the atmospheric monitoring and telescope cross-calibration at the CTA array in the southern hemisphere. We focus on the feasibility of the method for the array of telescopes of three sizes in different observation configurations and under various levels of atmospheric attenuation. Keywords: very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs), atmospheric monitoring, IACT calibration Published in RUNG: 14.11.2024; Views: 520; Downloads: 5
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3. Using muon rings for the optical throughput calibration of the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayMarkus Gaug, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Muon ring images observed with Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) provide a powerful means to calibrate the optical throughput of IACTs and monitor their optical point spread function. We investigate whether muons ring images can be used as the primary optical throughput calibration method for the telescopes of the future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) and find several additional systematic effects in comparison to previous works. To ensure that the method achieves the accuracy required by CTA, these systematic effects need to be taken into account and minor modifications to the hardware and analysis are necessary. We derive analytic estimates for the expected muon data rates to be used for optical throughput calibration, monitoring of the optical point spread function, with achievable statistical and systematic uncertainties, and explore the potential of muon ring images as a secondary method of camera pixel flat-fielding. Keywords: very-high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory, Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes, IACT optical throughput calibration, IACT camera pixel flat-fielding, IACT optical point spread function (PSF), muon ring images Published in RUNG: 13.11.2024; Views: 519; Downloads: 8
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4. Effect of optical properties of FDs on reconstruction analysisDaiki Sato, R. U. Abbasi, Y. Abe, T. Abu-Zayyad, M. Allen, Yasuhiko Arai, R. Arimura, E. Barcikowski, J. W. Belz, Douglas R. Bergman, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The TA experiment uses fluorescence telescopes to observe cosmic ray air showers. The telescope camera uses PMTs as Pixels. The telescope’s PMT pointing direction has an uncertainty of 0.1°, and more precise measurements of the telescope's optical properties are needed to more accurately reconstruct the cosmic ray air showers. We have developed the Opt-copter which is a light source mounted on a drone that can be flown within the telescope's field of view. Observational experiments with the Opt-copter have provided a more accurate analysis of the telescope viewing direction.
In this study, we estimate the effect of this measurement of accurate telescope viewing direction on the reconstruction of cosmic ray air showers. Keywords: Telescope Array, indirect detection, fluorescence detection, ultra-high energy, cosmic rays, composition, calibration, Xmax Published in RUNG: 10.10.2023; Views: 2191; Downloads: 7
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5. FOV direction and image size calibration of Fluorescence Detector using light source on UAVA. Nakazawa, Jon Paul Lundquist, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: In the Telescope Array (TA) experiment, we have been observing cosmic rays using a Fluorescence Detector (FD). More than 10 years have passed since we started this observation, and the accuracy of the observation has become more important than ever. We have developed the "Opt-copter" as a calibration device for the FDs. The Opt-copter is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a light source and can fly freely within the FD's field of view (FOV). In addition, the Opt-copter is equipped with a high-precision RTK-GPS, which enables it to accurately determine the position of the light source in flight. With this device, we can obtain detailed information on the optical characteristics of the FD. So far, we have reported on the configuration of the device and the analysis of the FOV direction. In this presentation, we will report on the new FOV analysis and image size analysis. Keywords: Telescope Array, indirect detection, fluorescence detection, ultra-high energy, cosmic rays, light source, calibration, UAV, FOV Published in RUNG: 04.10.2023; Views: 2589; Downloads: 8
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6. Raman LIDARs and atmospheric calibration along the line-of-sight of the Cherenkov Telescope ArraySamo Stanič, Longlong Wang, Marko Zavrtanik, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next generation ground-based observatory for
gamma-ray astronomy at very-high energies. Employing more than 100 (north and south sites)
Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes in the northern and southern hemispheres, it was
designed to reach unprecedented sensitivity and energy resolution. Understanding and correcting
for systematic biases on the absolute energy scale and instrument response functions will be a cru-
cial issue for the performance of CTA. The Montpellier group and the Spanish/Italian/Slovenian
collaboration are currently building two Raman LIDAR prototypes for the online atmospheric cal-
ibration along the line-of-sight of the CTA. Requirements for such a solution include the ability
to characterize aerosol extinction at two wavelengths to distances up to 30 km with an accuracy
better than 5%, within exposure time scales of about a minute, steering capabilities and close
interaction with the CTA array control and data acquisition system as well as other auxiliary in-
struments. Our Raman LIDARs have design features that make them different from those used
in atmospheric science and are characterized by large collecting mirrors (∼2.5 m 2 ), liquid light-
guides that collect the light at the focal plane and transport it to the readout system, reduced
acquisition time and highly precise Raman spectrometers. The Raman LIDARs will participate in
a cross-calibration and characterization campaign of the atmosphere at the CTA North site at La
Palma, together with other site characterization instruments. After a one-year test period there, an
in-depth evaluation of the solutions adopted by the two projects will lead to a final Raman LIDAR
design proposal for both CTA sites. Keywords: Raman lidar atmospheric calibration Cherenkov Telescope Array Published in RUNG: 29.08.2019; Views: 4733; Downloads: 104
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7. Auger at the Telescope Array: toward a direct cross-calibration of surface-detector stationsS. Quinn, Andrej Filipčič, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Ahmed Saleh, Samo Stanič, Marta Trini, Darko Veberič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2017, published scientific conference contribution Keywords: Telescope Array, Pierre Auger Observatory, direct cross-calibration Published in RUNG: 19.02.2018; Views: 4386; Downloads: 178
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8. Tools and Procedures for the CTA Array CalibrationMaria Concetta Maccarone, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2017, published scientific conference contribution Keywords: CTA, array calibration, groups of telescopes Published in RUNG: 16.02.2018; Views: 3833; Downloads: 152
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9. Atmospheric calibration of the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayJan Ebr, Christopher Eckner, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2017, published scientific conference contribution Keywords: atmospheric calibration, Cherenkov Telescope Array, Cherenkov Transparency Coefficient Published in RUNG: 16.02.2018; Views: 4226; Downloads: 133
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10. Design of a prototype device to calibrate the Large Size Telescope camera of the Cherenkov Telescope ArrayM. Iori, Andrej Filipčič, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Gabrijela Zaharijas, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2015, published scientific conference contribution Keywords: Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), large-size telescope (LST) design for CTA, LST camera calibration Published in RUNG: 26.01.2017; Views: 4780; Downloads: 217
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