Massive Argon Space Telescope (MAST): A concept of heavy time projection chamber for γ-ray astronomy in the 100 MeV–1 TeV energy range
2019; Elsevier BV; Volume: 112; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.astropartphys.2019.04.004
ISSN1873-2852
Autores Tópico(s)Particle Detector Development and Performance
ResumoWe explore the concept of liquid Argon time projection chamber (TPC) for γ-ray astronomy in the 100 MeV–1 TeV energy range. We propose a basic layout for such a telescope called MAST. Using a last-generation rocket such as Falcon Heavy, it is possible to launch a detector with the effective area and the differential sensitivity about one order of magnitude better than the Fermi-LAT ones. At the same time, the MAST concept allows for an excellent angular resolution, 3–10 times better than the Fermi-LAT one depending on the energy, and good energy resolution ( ≈ 20% at 100 MeV and 6–10% for the 10 GeV–1 TeV energy range). We show that such a telescope would be instrumental in a broad range of long-standing astrophysical problems.
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