Detection of Cherenkov light from air showers with Geiger-APDs
arXiv:0712.1592 · doi:10.1016/j.nima.2009.05.083
Abstract
We have detected Cherenkov light from air showers with Geiger-mode APDs (G-APDs). G-APDs are novel semiconductor photon-detectors, which offer several advantages compared to conventional photomultiplier tubes in the field of ground-based gamma-ray astronomy. In a field test with the MAGIC telescope we have tested the efficiency of a G-APD / light catcher setup to detect Cherenkov light from air showers. We estimate a detection efficiency, which is 60% higher than the efficiency of a MAGIC camera pixel. Ambient temperature dark count rates of the tested G-APDs are below the rates of the night sky light background. According to these recent tests G-APDs promise a major progress in ground-based gamma-ray astronomy.
4 pages, 5 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Merida, July 2007