Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

TPC in γ-ray astronomy above pair-creation threshold

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We examine the performance of a TPC as a γ-ray telescope above the pair-creation threshold. The contributions to the photon angular resolution are studied and their dependence on energy is obtained. The effective area per detector unit mass for such a thin detector is the conversion mass attenuation coefficient. The differential sensitivity for the detection of a point-like source is then derived. Finally, the measurement of track momentum from deflections due to multiple scattering is optimized. These analytical results are exemplified numerically for a few sets of detector parameters. TPCs show an impressive improvement in sensitivity with respect to existing pair-creation-based telescopes in the [MeV–GeV] energy range, even with the modest detector parameters of this study. In addition, gas TPCs allow an improvement in angular resolution of about one order of magnitude.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)225-230
Number of pages6
JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume701
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Feb 2013

Keywords

  • Angular resolution
  • Pair production
  • Sensitivity
  • TPC
  • Telescope
  • γ rays

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'TPC in γ-ray astronomy above pair-creation threshold'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this