Update of the optical configuration and performance of the Gamma-Ray telescope pGCT, a prototype for imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes

Julien Cailleux; Jean-Laurent Dournaux; Gilles Fasola; Philippe Laporte; Fatima De Frondat; Jean-Philippe Amans; Jean-Michel Huet; Emma Rébert; Hélène Sol

doi:10.1117/12.3018744

26 August 2024 Update of the optical configuration and performance of the Gamma-Ray telescope pGCT, a prototype for imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes

Julien Cailleux, Jean-Laurent Dournaux, Gilles Fasola, Philippe Laporte, Fatima De Frondat, Jean-Philippe Amans, Jean-Michel Huet, Emma Rébert, Hélène Sol

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13100, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation VI; 1310005 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3018744
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

The prototype of Gamma-ray Cherenkov Telescope (pGCT) is an Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (IACT) developed to detect Very High Energy (VHE) from various cosmic sources emitting gamma rays. It is based on a Schwarzschild-Couder (SC) dual-mirror configuration resulting in a compact telescope and an optimised PSF over a wide field of view. Moreover, some innovative features were implemented with the aim to ease and to fasten the assembly, integration, test (AIT) and maintenance activities. Both mirrors, the 4-meter tessellated primary mirror and the secondary mirror, are aspherical lightweight mirrors made by a subtractive manufacturing method. This process was improved several times leading to enhanced optical performance of the telescope in terms of Point Spread Function and improved signal to noise ratio. This paper deals with the optomechanical design of the pGCT and its latest measured performance. After a brief overview of the mechanical design of the telescope, the updated manufacturing process of the new generation mirrors and the optical performance of pGCT are given. Finally, recent operational performance of the telescope is given.

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(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Julien Cailleux, Jean-Laurent Dournaux, Gilles Fasola, Philippe Laporte, Fatima De Frondat, Jean-Philippe Amans, Jean-Michel Huet, Emma Rébert, and Hélène Sol "Update of the optical configuration and performance of the Gamma-Ray telescope pGCT, a prototype for imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes", Proc. SPIE 13100, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation VI, 1310005 (26 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3018744

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