The GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope with excellent angular and energy resolutions is designed to search for signatures of dark matter in the fluxes of gamma-ray emission and electrons + positrons. ...Precision investigations of gamma-ray emission from Galactic Center, Crab, Vela, Cygnus, Geminga, and other regions will be performed, as well as diffuse gamma-ray emission, along with measurements of high-energy electron + positron and nuclei fluxes. Furthermore, it will study gamma-ray bursts and gamma-ray emission from the Sun during periods of solar activity. The GAMMA-400 energy range is expected to be from ∼20 MeV up to TeV energies for gamma rays, up to 10 TeV for electrons + positrons, and up to 1015 eV for cosmic-ray nuclei. For 100-GeV gamma rays, the GAMMA-400 angular resolution is ∼0.01° and energy resolution is ∼1%; the proton rejection factor is ∼5x105. GAMMA-400 will be installed onboard the Russian space observatory.
Fermi-LAT has made a significant contribution to the study of high-energy gamma-ray diffuse emission and the observation of ∼3000 discrete sources. However, one third of all gamma-ray sources (both ...galactic and extragalactic) are unidentified, the data on the diffuse gamma-ray emission should be clarified, and signatures of dark matter particles in the high-energy gamma-ray range are not observed up to now. GAMMA-400, currently developing gamma-ray telescope, will have the angular (∼0.01° at 100 GeV) and energy (∼1% at 100 GeV) resolutions in the energy range of 10-1000 GeV better than the Fermi-LAT (as well as ground gamma-ray telescopes) by a factor of 5-10 and observe some regions of the Universe (such as Galactic Center, Fermi Bubbles, Crab, Cygnus, etc.) in the highly elliptic orbit (without shading the telescope by the Earth) continuously for a long time. It will permit to identify many discrete sources, to clarify the structure of extended sources, to specify the data on the diffuse emission, and to resolve gamma rays from dark matter particles.
The GAMMA-400 currently developing space-based gamma-ray telescope is designed to measure the gamma-ray fluxes in the energy range from ∼20 MeV to several TeV in the highly elliptic orbit (without ...shadowing the telescope by the Earth) continuously for a long time. The physical characteristics of the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope, especially the angular and energy resolutions (at 100-GeV gamma rays they are ∼0.01° and ∼1%, respectively), allow us to consider this space-based experiment as the next step in the development of extraterrestrial high-energy gamma-ray astronomy. In this paper, a method to improve the reconstruction accuracy of incident angle for low-energy gamma rays in the GAMMA-400 space-based gamma-ray telescope is presented. The special analysis of topology of pair-conversion events in thin layers of converter was performed. Applying the energy dependence of multiple Coulomb scattering for pair components, it is possible to estimate the energies for each particle, and to use these energies as weight in the angle reconstruction procedure. To identify the unique track in each projection the imaginary curvature method is applied. It allows us to obtain significantly better angular resolution in comparison with other methods applied in current space-based experiments. When using this method for 50-MeV gamma rays the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope angular resolution is about 4°.
GAMMA-400 (Gamma Astronomical Multifunctional Modular Apparatus) will be the new generation satellite gamma-observatory. Gamma-telescope GAMMA-400 consists of anticoincidence system (top and lateral ...sections - ACtop and AClat), the converter-tracker (C), time-of-flight system (2 sections S1 and S2), position-sensitive calorimeter CC1 makes of 2 strips layers and 2 layers of CsI(Tl) detectors, electromagnetic calorimeter CC2 composed of CsI(Tl) crystals, neutron detector ND, scintillation detectors of the calorimeter (S3 and S4) and lateral detectors of the calorimeter (LD). All detector systems ACtop, AClat, S1-S4, LD consist of two BC-408 based sensitive layers of 1 cm thickness each. Three apertures provide events registration both from upper and lateral directions. The main aperture provides the best angular (all strip layers information analysis) and energy (energy deposition in the all detectors studying) resolution. Gamma-telescope GAMMA-400 is optimized for the gamma-quanta and charged particles with energy 100 GeV detection with the best parameters in the main aperture. Triggers in the main aperture will be formed using information about particle direction provided by time of flight system and presence of charged particle or backsplash signal formed according to analysis of energy deposition in combination of both layers anticoincidence systems ACtop and AClat individual detectors. For double-layer ACtop taking into account both amplitude and temporal trigger marker onboard analysis only 2.8% photons will be wrongly recognized as electrons or protons for 100 GeV particles. The part of charged particles mistakenly identified as gammas is ∼10-5 using described algorithms. For E∼3 GeV less than 3% photons will be wrongly recognized as charged particles and fraction of wrongly identified charged particles will be also ∼10-5. In the additional aperture the particles identification is provided by analysis of signals corresponding to energy deposition in the individual detectors S2, S3 and fast signals from CC1 individual detectors discriminators. Low energy (0.2 - 10 MeV) photons in the lateral aperture recognizing by using simple anticoincidence signals from the individual detectors of LD. Gamma-quanta of higher energies are identified using energy deposition in the individual detectors of S3, S4, LD and fast signals from CC2 individual detectors discriminators. The results of anticoincidence system individual detectors thresholds modelling are discussed.
Scientific project GAMMA-400 (Gamma Astronomical Multifunctional Modular Apparatus) relates to the new generation of space observatories intended to perform an indirect search for signatures of dark ...matter in the cosmic-ray fluxes, measurements of characteristics of diffuse gamma-ray emission and gamma-rays from the Sun during periods of solar activity, gamma-ray bursts, extended and point gamma-ray sources, electron/positron and cosmic-ray nuclei fluxes up to TeV energy region by means of the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope represents the core of the scientific complex. The system of triggers and counting signals formation of the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope constitutes the pipelined processor structure which collects data from the gamma-ray telescope subsystems and produces summary information used in forming the trigger decision for each event. The system design is based on the use of state-of-the-art reconfigurable logic devices and fast data links. The basic structure, logic of operation and distinctive features of the system are presented.
Registered events identification procedures details in three apertures of gamma-telescope GAMMA-400 are discussed in the presented article for gammas, electrons/positrons and protons both in low and ...high energy bands. Gamma-telescope GAMMA-400 consists of the converter-tracker (C) surrounded by anticoincidence system, time-of-flight system (2 sections S1 and S2) and calorimeter. Anticoincidence system will make of top and lateral sections - ACtop and AClat, time-of-flight system TOF contain 2 segments S1 and S2. Calorimeter consists of position-sensitive calorimeter CC1 makes of 2 strips layers and 2 layers of CsI(Tl) detectors and electromagnetic calorimeter CC2 composed of CsI(Tl) crystals surrounded by plastic lateral detectors LD. Scintillation detectors of the calorimeter S3 and S4 placed correspondingly between CC1 and CC2 and after electromagnetic calorimeter. All segments of detector systems ACtop, AClat, S1-S4, LD composed of two BC-408 based sensitive layers thickness of 1 cm each. Events registration both from upper and lateral directions provides due three apertures: main, additional and lateral. GAMMA-400 parameters are optimized for detection of gamma-quanta with the energy ∼ 100 GeV in the main aperture. Gammas, electrons/positrons and protons recognition in main aperture provides due energy deposition analysis in individual detectors of ACtop, AClat, S1-S3 and CC1 individual scintillator detectors discriminators. Particles identification in the additional aperture supplied by study of energy deposition in the individual detectors S2, S3 and position-sensitive calorimeter individual scintillator detectors discriminators. In the lateral aperture low energy (0.2 - 100 MeV) photons classified by using simple anticoincidence signals from the individual detectors of LD and CC2. Higher energies γ-quanta (E>100 MeV) recognized using energy deposition analysis in the individual detectors of S3, S4, LD and CC2.
The GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope is intended to measure the fluxes of gamma-rays and cosmic-ray electrons and positrons in the energy range from 100 MeV to several TeV. Such measurements concern the ...following scientific tasks: investigation of point sources of gamma-rays, studies of the energy spectra of Galactic and extragalactic diffuse emission, studies of gamma-ray bursts and gamma-ray emission from the Sun, as well as high precision measurements of spectra of high-energy electrons and positrons. Also the GAMMA- 400 instrument provides the possibility for protons and nuclei measurements up to knee. But the main goal for the GAMMA-400 mission is to perform a sensitive search for signatures of dark matter particles in high-energy gamma-ray emission. To fulfill these measurements the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope possesses unique physical characteristics in comparison with previous and present experiments. The major advantage of the GAMMA-400 instrument is excellent angular and energy resolution for gamma-rays above 10 GeV. The GAMMA-400 experiment will be installed onboard of the Navigator space platform, manufactured by the NPO Lavochkin Association. The expected orbit will be a highly elliptical orbit (with apogee 300.000 km and perigee 500 km) with 7 days orbital period. An important profit of such an orbit is the fact that the full sky coverage will always be available for gamma ray astronomy.
The results of low-energy charged particles passage through GAMMA-400 gamma- telescope thermal insulation and two-layer plastic scintillation detectors used as anticoincidence shield are presented. ...An existing GEANT4 GAMMA-400 model is used. Effects of thermal insulation on charged particle passage are investigated. These results will be used to testing the effect of low-energy charged particles flux on GAMMA-400 gamma-quanta registration capabilities. Sufficiently large energy deposition in two-layer plastic anticoincidence scintillation detectors might interfere with high-energy particle registration and identification. However, GAMMA-400 detection capabilities are not affected by this, as the energy deposition in the lower layer of S3 is less than 1.5 MeV in all simulated cases. This value is less than threshold for high energy particles identification start (2.5 MeV). It makes impossible to incorrectly identify a low-energy charged particle energy deposition as backsplash from a high-energy gamma-quantum.
Fermi-LAT has made a significant contribution to the study of high-energy gamma-ray diffuse emission and the observations of 3000 discrete sources. However, one third of all gamma-ray sources (both ...galactic and extragalactic) are unidentified, the data on the diffuse gamma-ray emission should be clarified, and signatures of dark matter particles in the high-energy gamma-ray range are not observed up to now. GAMMA-400, the currently developing gamma-ray telescope, will have angular (∼0.01∘ at 100 GeV) and energy (∼1% at 100 GeV) resolutions in the energy range of 10–1000 GeV which are better than Fermi-LAT (as well as ground gamma-ray telescopes) by a factor of 5–10. It will observe some regions of the Universe (such as the Galactic Center, Fermi Bubbles, Crab, Cygnus, etc.) in a highly elliptic orbit (without shading the telescope by the Earth) continuously for a long time. It will allow us to identify many discrete sources, to clarify the structure of extended sources, to specify the data on the diffuse emission, and to resolve gamma rays from dark matter particles.
The GAMMA-400 gamma-ray space-based telescope has as its main goals to measure cosmic γ-ray fluxes and the electron-positron cosmic-ray component produced, theoretically, in dark-matter-particles ...decay or annihilation processes, to search for discrete γ-ray sources and study them in detail, to examine the energy spectra of diffuse γ-rays - both galactic and extragalactic - and to study gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and γ-rays from the active Sun. Scientific goals of GAMMA-400 telescope require fine angular resolution. The telescope is of a pair-production type. In the converter-tracker, the incident gamma-ray photon converts into electron-positron pair in the tungsten layer and then the tracks are detected by silicon- strip position-sensitive detectors. Multiple scattering processes become a significant obstacle in the incident-gamma direction reconstruction for energies below several gigaelectronvolts. The method of utilising this process to improve the resolution is proposed in the presented work.