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Figaro: an experiment for pulsar and variable source studies in the MeV range

Journal Article · · Adv. Space Res.; (United States)
The paper presents a large area, balloon borne, NaI(Tl) detector for low-energy gamma rays with temporal signature: Figaro. The main detector is a mosaic of 12 NaI(Tl) tiles 22.5 x 15 x 5 cm, for a total geometric area of 4050 sq cm. In the energy band 140 keV-6 MeV, the expected background counting rate at float altitude is in the range of two to three thousand counts per second. For pulsar analysis the expected 3sigma sensitivity for 5 hours exposition time is 2.5 10 to the -4th ph/sq cm.s.MeV (150-500 keV) 1.5 10 to the -4th ph/sq cm.s.MeV (1-6 MeV). This performance, together with the large effective area and the relatively short duration of a balloon flight, make Figaro particularly suitable for the identification of sources by means of temporal analysis. For objectives in the Northern sky, including the Crab pulsar, a transmediterranean flight is planned for the summer of 1982 a Southern mission is scheduled in Brazil for the fall of 1983 (Vela, PSR 1822-09).
Research Organization:
CNR, Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale, Frascati, Italy
OSTI ID:
6351603
Journal Information:
Adv. Space Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Adv. Space Res.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN ASRSD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English