Speaker
Adrian Biland
(Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETH))
Description
The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT) is pioneering the usage of
solid state photosensors (G-APD, also known as SiPM). The 1440 pixel
camera is installed in a 10m$^2$ refurbished HEGRA telescope on
the Canary Island La Palma.
Physics data-taking with FACT started in October 2011, few hours after
installation of the camera. Since Summer 2012, FACT is operated remotely
without the need of a data-taking crew onsite. During more than tree years
of operation of FACT, G-APDs have proven to be very reliable. Despite operating
them regularly also under very strong moonlight conditions, the G-APDs show
no change in their properties or any indication for ageing.
This allows FACT to have a successful monitoring program of the
brightest TeV blazars in the northern hemisphere and several
flare-alerts per year have been sent to the community.
This presentation will describe the status of FACT and report the lessons
learned about the usage of SiPM in a Cherenkov telescope from the construction
and operation of FACT.
| Registration number following "ICRC2015-I/" | 871 |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | FACT |
Author
Adrian Biland
(Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETH))
