AGATE: A high energy gamma-ray telescope using drift chambers

• Published in: Space science reviews 1996-01, Vol.75 (1-2), p.97-108
• Main Authors: Mukherjee, R., Dingus, B.L., Esposito, J.A., Bertsch, D.L., Cuddapah, R., Fichtel, C.E., Hartman, R.C., Hunter, S.D., Thompson, D.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0038-6308; 1572-9672
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00195028

We describe the work being done on the development of the Advanccd Gamma-Ray Astronomy Telescope Experiment (AGATE), visualized as the successor to the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET). In order to achieve the scientific goals, AGATE will have higher sensitivity than EGRET in the energy range 30 MeV to 30 GeV, larger effective area, better angular resolution, and an extended low and high energy range. In its design, AGATE will follow the tradition of the earlier gamma-ray telescopes, SAS-2, COS B, and EGRET, and will have the same four basic components of an anticoincidence system, directional coincidence system, track imaging, and energy measurement systems. However, due to its much larger size, AGATE will use drift chambers as its track imaging system rather than the spark chambers used by EGRET. Drift chambers are an obvious choice as they have less deadtime per event, better spatial resolution, and are relatively easy and inexpensive to build. Results of laboratory tests of the performance of a prototype drift chamber are presented. (Author)