https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20135308015
FAMOUS – A prototype silicon photomultiplier telescope for the fluorescence detection of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays
1 III. Physikalisches Institut A, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
2 Laboratório de Instrumentaç ão e Física Experimental de Partículas, Lisbon, Portugal
a e-mail: maurice.stephan@physik.rwth-aachen.de
Due to their high photon detection efficiency, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) promise to increase the sensitivity of today's fluorescence telescopes which use photomultiplier tubes to detect light originating from extensive air showers. On the other hand, drawbacks like a small sensitive area, a strong temperature dependence, a high noise rate and a reduced dynamic range have to be managed.
We present plans for FAMOUS, a prototype fluorescence telescope using SiPMs and a special light collecting optical system of Winston cones to increase the sensitive area. The prototype will make use of a Fresnel lens. For several different types of SiPMs we measured their characteristics. Moreover, we will present the R&D in compact modular electronics using photon counting techniques. An evaluation of the performance of the optical telescope design is performed by means of a full detector simulation.
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2013
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
