The EGRET gamma ray telescope and its energy calibration

Thesis/Dissertation · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6176041

Walker, A H

A current review is presented of the state of high energy gamma ray astronomy. Thereafter, the operating principles of the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) gamma ray telescope are stated, together with the performance originally expected. The mechanical design and assembly of the large total absorption, or TASC, detector for EGRET is then described, followed by a review of the measurements made and actions taken to assure the integrity of the TASC detector in the five-year period between assembly and launch. A description of the electronic system associated with TASC is then provided, together with its operation in coordination with the rest of the EGRET telescope. The results of an initial exploration and calibration of the TASC detector alone in a positron beam at SLAC are then discussed. Thereafter, the design of an experiment to calibrate the fully assembled EGRET detector in a calibration gamma ray beam at SLAC is described. The results of this calibration relating particularly to the performance of the TASC detector are than outlined. Finally, a recalibration experiment conducted two years later at the MIT Bates Accelerator Center is discussed.

• Research Organization: Stanford Univ., CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6176041
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440103* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- Nuclear Spectroscopic Instrumentation
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ANTILEPTONS
ANTIMATTER
ANTIPARTICLES
CALIBRATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY SPECTRA
FERMIONS
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
LEPTONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
POSITRONS
SPECTRA
SPECTROMETERS
TELESCOPES