GammaTPC: a novel next generation Compton telescope
Thomas Shutt (KIPAC, Stanford University)
I will talk about GammaTPC, a new instrument concept for measuring astrophysical gamma rays in the MeV energy range. This is a largely unexplored energy range due in large part to the difficulty of measuring such photons. GammaTPC uses liquid argon time projection chamber (TPC) technology which builds on developments for dark matter and neutrinos, and holds the promise of an instrument that is both very large and highly sensitive. Core to GammaTPC is GAMPix, a new charge readout scheme that achieves fine-grained, low noise readout at very low power. I will discuss his and other challenges to fielding a liquid noble TPC in low Earth orbit, as well as the status of GammaTPC development.
Read more about this event