Published April 2, 2001 | Version v1
Journal article

Sensitivity of VERITAS to microsecond γ-ray burst phenomena

  • 1. Physics and Astronomy Department, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3160 (United States)
  • 2. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Whipple Observatory, 670 Mount Hopkins Road, Amado, Arizona 85645 (United States)

Description

Ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) are inherently sensitive to microsecond flares of γ-rays with energies E>200 MeV. This combination of photon energy and time scale remains largely unexplored by satellite-instruments due to their dead times and collection areas. A burst on a time scale of microseconds could be the signature of the evaporation of a primordial black hole. The technique is based on the detection of multi-photon initiated cascades in the upper atmosphere and could be most effectively pursued with future arrays of imaging telescopes. A first experiment is currently under development: SGARFACE (Short GAmma Ray Front Air Cherenkov Experiment) which consists of a trigger and readout system that can be operated in parallel with the Whipple 10 m telescope

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
AIP Conference Proceedings
Journal Volume
558
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 574-577
ISSN
0094-243X
CODEN
APCPCS

Conference

Title
International symposium on high energy gamma-ray astronomy
Dates
26-30 Jun 2000
Place
Heidelberg (Germany)

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2001 American Institute of Physics.