Mirror development for CTA

Förster, A.; Doro, M.; Brun, P.; Canestrari, R.; Chadwick, P.; Font, L.; Ghigo, M.; Lorenz, E.; Mariotti, M.; Michalowski, J.; Niemiec, J.; Pareschi, G.; Peyaud, B.; Seweryn, K.

Abstract

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), currently in its early design phase, is a proposed new project for groundbased gamma-ray astronomy with at least 10 times higher sensitivity than current instruments. CTA is planned to consist of several tens of large Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) with a combined reflective surface of up to 10,000 m2. The challenge for the future CTA array is to develop lightweight and cost efficient mirrors with high production rates, good longterm durability and adequate optical properties. The technologies currently under investigation comprise different methods of carbon fibre/epoxy based substrates, sandwich concepts with cold-slumped surfaces made of thin float glass and different structural materials like aluminum honeycomb, glass foam or PU foam inside, and aluminum sandwich structures with either diamond milled surfaces or reflective foils. The current status of the mirror development for CTA will be summarized together with investigations on the improvement of the reflective surfaces and their protection against degradation.

Citation

Förster, A., Doro, M., Brun, P., Canestrari, R., Chadwick, P., Font, L., Ghigo, M., Lorenz, E., Mariotti, M., Michalowski, J., Niemiec, J., Pareschi, G., Peyaud, B., & Seweryn, K. (2009, August). Mirror development for CTA. Presented at Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy IV, San Diego, CA

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy IV
• Publication Date: 2009-08
• Deposit Date: Jan 27, 2012
• Volume: 7437
• Series Title: Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series
• Series ISSN: 0277-786X
• Book Title: Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy IV: San Diego, CA | August 02, 2009
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827726
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1157039