HARPO - TPC for High Energy Astrophysics and Polarimetry from the MeV to the TeV

4 Jun 2014, 16:20
20m
Graanbeurszaal (Beurs van Berlage)

Graanbeurszaal

Beurs van Berlage

Oral Experiments: 2b) Astrophysics and Space Instrumentation II.b Astro & Space

Speaker

Philippe Gros (Ecole Polytechnique (FR))

Description

Observation of high-energy sources requires gamma-ray telescopes aboard balloons or satellites to study thermal and non thermal phenomena (black holes, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, supernovae, supernova remnants, and gamma-ray bursts). In recent years, R&D has been mainly active to improve the sensitivity required for polarimetry. In this context, a concept of a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) was proposed as an active target and pair production imager with a high angular resolution and background reduction capabilities. After introducing the HARPO TPC and its potential as gamma-ray telescope, we will present the characterization of the TPC readout plane which provides gas electron amplication within a microstructure composed of the association of a Micromegas and Gas Electron Multiplier. Recent results using cosmic-ray events will be shown and nally the beam test, scheduled this year, with polarized photon at MeV energy will be discussed.

Summary

D. Bernard, P. Bruel, M. Frotin, Y. Geerebaert, B. Giebels, P. Gros, D. Horan, P. Poilleux, I. Semeniouk, S. Wang

LLR, Ecole Polytechnique CNRS/IN2P3, 91128 Palaiseau France

S. Anvar, D. Attie, P. Colas, A. Delbart, D. Gotz, P. Sizun

CEA, Irfu, CEA-Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France

Primary authors

Dr David ATTIE (CEA/DSM/DAPNIA/SPP) Philippe Gros (Ecole Polytechnique (FR))

Presentation materials