CTA Pre-production Phase Extension 2020

Lead Research Organisation: University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

The Universe is full of particles with energies so great that they are travelling at very close to the speed of light. They affect the Universe in many ways, influencing the life cycles of stars and the evolution of galaxies. These particles are hard to trace but can reveal their presence by producing gamma rays. Like their lower-energy cousins, X-rays, gamma rays do not penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and usually satellite-based telescopes are used to detect them. However, at very high energies (VHE) there are so few gamma rays that detecting them using spacecraft becomes impossible. Luckily, it is possible to observe them from the ground via the flashes of blue light, Cherenkov radiation, produced when they interact in the atmosphere. The glow from Cherenkov radiation in the atmosphere is 10,000 times fainter than starlight, so large mirrors are required to collect it, and because the flashes last only a few billionths of a second, ultra-fast cameras are needed to record them.

We know from current ground-based gamma-ray telescopes such as HESS that there is a wealth of phenomena to be studied. VHE gamma ray telescopes have detected the remains of supernova explosions, binary star systems, highly energetic jets produced by black holes in distant galaxies, star formation regions, and many other objects. These observations can help us to understand not only what is going on inside these objects, but also answer fundamental physics questions relating to the nature of Dark Matter and of space-time itself. However, we have reached the limit of what can be done with current instruments, and so over 1640 scientists and engineers from 33 countries around the world have come together to build a new instrument - the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).

CTA will offer a dramatic increase in sensitivity over current instruments and extend the energy range of the gamma rays observed to both lower and higher values. It is predicted that the catalogue of known VHE emitting objects will expand from the roughly 130 known now to over 1000, and we can expect many new discoveries in key areas of astrophysics and fundamental physics. To achieve the energy coverage of CTA, telescopes of three different sizes are needed: Small (~4 m diameter), Medium (12 m) and Large (23 m) Sized Telescopes (SSTs, MSTs and LSTs, respectively). CTA will have arrays in the northern and southern hemispheres. The northern array will consist of 4 LSTs and 25 MSTs. The southern array will add to its 4 LSTs and 25 MSTs an extensive array of 70 SSTs, to investigate the highest energy phenomena, visible mainly in the southern sky. We expect construction of the first telescopes on the CTA southern site to begin in 2021.

There are currently 12 UK universities and Laboratories involved in CTA. The four UK groups developing the hardware are concentrating their efforts on the construction of the SSTs for which we previously developed the Compact High Energy Camera (CHEC). CHEC has been recently selected along with the Italian ASTRI telescope structure, from the three competing SST designs, as the basis for the final SST design. During the 2020 funding period we will use the lessons learned from CHEC to design and produce a final production-ready camera for SST. This will involve making essential changes from the CHEC design to improve manufacturability, operation, maintenance and reliability, maximise performance, and cut costs. The research work to be undertaken in 2020 includes: mechanical design modifications, improvements to cooling, a new window and lid design, updated sensors, reduced power consumption, and improvements to electronics components. We will also prepare AIV facilities in preparation for production. This will be supported by ongoing camera software and simulations development. We will expand outreach activities to include a planetarium show and UK science meeting and enhance project management and product assurance in readiness for production.

Planned Impact

CTA will have an impact on a wide range of scientific questions, from the nature of gravity to how supernovae accelerate particles and how active galaxies work. In doing so, it will use new and innovative methodologies, combining techniques from both astronomy and particle physics. In the process, many highly skilled researchers will be trained. UK industry stands to gain both from knowledge transfer and by way of contracts for producing electronics, camera housings, and perhaps mirrors and other structural elements. Much of this work will be undertaken in areas of economic deprivation (e.g. North East England, North Wales) thereby contributing to regeneration and economic development.

The atmosphere is an important element of our detectors, and our Monte Carlo simulations already use data from the British Atmospheric Data Centre. Wherever the telescopes are sited, it is likely to be in an area short of detailed weather data for input to climate models. CTA's weather data are therefore likely to be useful to atmospheric modellers.

The public awareness and understanding of science will be enhanced by CTA. Our scientific research covers topics of considerable interest to the public, including black holes, supernova explosions and Dark Matter. We have already had considerable engagement with the public through events such as Stargazing Live and the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, as well as giving many talks to local interest groups (Women's Institutes, astronomical societies etc.) and schools. These activities will be continued and enhanced during the next few years as CTA matures as an observatory. These activities will be significantly strengthened by the recent addition of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium to the CTA-UK consortium.

Early stage researchers will gain a wide range of skills from working on CTA, in areas such as programming, electronics, modelling of complex systems, image analysis etc. In addition, they will gain the "soft skills" which come from working with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds in the international CTA Consortium. These skills will fit them for non-academic professions. For example, recent Ph.D. graduates who have worked in CTA have already gone on to careers in teaching and software engineering and we expect many more skilled people to move into non-academic careers over the 30-year lifetime of CTA.

Publications

10 25 50
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Leach S (2020) Performance of the Compact High Energy Camera SiPM Prototype Front-End Electronics proposed for the Cherenkov Telescope Array in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

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Leach S (2020) Front-end electronics of the Compact High Energy Camera in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

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Duara A (2020) Experimental and extraction procedure for the electrical characterisation of silicon photomultiplier detectors in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

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Williams J (2020) Using quantum entangled photons to measure the absolute photon detection efficiency of a multi-pixel SiPM array in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

 
Description This award maintained the UK's lead role in the development of the camera system for the Cherenkov Telescope Array, Small-Sized Telescope (CTA-SST). During this period, the CHEC-S silicon photomultiplier-based camera was developed and successfully tested in the lab. The CHEC-S camera was selected in a competition between three competing designs as the SST camera for the CTA observatory. Following this selection process, this award funded the final design iteration of the CHEC-S camera prototype, as a result of lessons learned during on-telescope field trials. The design of the SST Camera (SST-CAM) has now been finalised and is undergoing testing. Once proven and verified this design will be used for the production camera manufacture due to begin ealy in 2025.
While the international project progresses at pace towards the SST production phase, STFC have suspended funding of the UK contribution to the project and withdrawn their commitment to part fund the CTA Observatory production and operation phases, apart from the funding of 50 SST camera windows. The outcome of this funding hiatus was that SST-CAM group at Leicester has largely disbanded as support for staff was no longer available. The remaining Leicester effort, supported by internal funds, has been used to transfer the camera technologies and know-how developed in the UK to our international partners so the SST can continue to progress without the previously expected UK contribution.
Exploitation Route Despite the fact that UK funding for the SST-CAM camera production has largely been withdrawn and UK activities scaled down, it is still hoped (and recommended by the Particle Astrophysics Advisory Panel) that the UK will support the CTA Observatory in some manner so that UK scientists can maintain involvement in the key science programmes. Tis will will help to sustain our world-leading role in high energy astrophysics. It had been anticipated that the UK contribution to the camera production would provide UK industry with contracts ~£3M. After the cessation of STFC funding, this outcome is no longer likely, however it is still hoped that the technologies developed will provide and support other commercial opportunities in the UK in detector, electronics and engineering activities.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Education

Electronics

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

Other

URL https://www.cta-observatory.org/project/technology/sst/
 
Description The Cherenkov Telescope Array is an international facility run by an international team of researchers that will provide unparalleled astronomical observations of astroparticles at extreme energies for analysis by research groups worldwide, bringing employment to astronomers, associated researchers, research support staff, engineers, component manufacturers and local services both at the telescope site in Chile and at the many participating institutes throughout the world. CTA has a well developed public outreach arm which will inform the general public and educators alike, bringing novel and fundamental knowledge about extreme events and processes in the universe to the public gaze. Camera and telescope technologies developed for CTA have application in many other research and commercial sectors. The expertise in areas of state-of-the-art sensors, electronics, and data acquisition and analysis, built up during the SST Camera development has benefitted several other research fields, particularly particle physics, where the PI has leadership in the CERN DRD programme part of the ECFA Detector R&D Roadmap, and in particle astrophysics with involvment in the Southern Widefield Gamma-ray Observatory.
First Year Of Impact 2020
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Energy,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

Economic

 
Description UK participation in the pre-production phase of CTA extension 2021
Amount £171,883 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/V006371/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2021 
End 03/2023
 
Description UK participation in the pre-production phase of CTA extension 2022
Amount £151,246 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/X001741/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 09/2023
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation Deutsches Electronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation Durham University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation Max Planck Society
Department Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation Nagoya University
Country Japan 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation National Institute for Astrophysics
Department Brera Astronomical Observatory
Country Italy 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation National Institute for Astrophysics
Department Catania Observatory
Country Italy 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation National Institute for Astrophysics
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation National Institute for Nuclear Physics
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation North-West University
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation Observatory of Paris
Country France 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation Universidade de São Paulo
Country Brazil 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation University of Adelaide
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation University of Amsterdam
Country Netherlands 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation University of Liverpool
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description CTA Small Sized telescope Programme 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Department of Physics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The University of Leicester has played a lead role in the development of the CHEC camera, now selected as the SST camera. Leicester will host the UK camera production facility and be responsible for assembly, test, and commissioning of up to half the SST cameras being supplied to the CTA observatory.
Collaborator Contribution The SST Programme team will supply and commission the telescope structures and cameras for the CTA Small SIzed Telescope array of up to 70 telescopes, to be based at the CTA southern site in Chile.
Impact This collaboration is still in its early days. Camera production will begin in late 2021.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation Argonne National Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation Columbia University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation Nagoya University
Country Japan 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation National Institute for Nuclear Physics
Department National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Bari
Country Italy 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation National Institute for Nuclear Physics
Department National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Napoli
Country Italy 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation National Institute for Nuclear Physics
Department National Institute for Nuclear Physics - Pisa
Country Italy 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation National Institute for Nuclear Physics
Department National Institute of Nuclear Physics - Perugia
Country Italy 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation National Research Council
Department SuPerconducting and other INnovative materials and devices institute
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation Polytechnic University of Bari
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation Stanford University
Department SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation University of Alabama in Huntsville
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Department Division of Astronomy & Astrophysics
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation University of Iowa
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation University of Perugia
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation University of Siena
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Description Cherenkov Telescope Array Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT) Collaboration 
Organisation University of Utah
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Leicester joined the SCT collaboration in 2018 to bring expertise in front end electronics (FEE) to the SCT project.
Collaborator Contribution The SCT partners have pioneered the design of a Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope as one of the Medium-Sized Telescope designs for the CHerenkov Telescope Array. The SCT's two-mirror optical system is designed to better focus the light for greater imaging detail and improved detection of faint sources.
Impact Transfer of sensor and front-end electronics design and implementation technologies from the CTA-GCT project to the CTA-SCT collaboration. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving detector physics, mechanical and electronic design expertise
Start Year 2018
 
Title Camera for the Small-sized telescope on CTA 
Description The production design of a photon-counting camera specifically designed for the Small-Sized Telescope array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). CTA is a 350M Euro international astroparticle astronomy facility undergoing construction at two sites in La Palma and Chile. There will be 37+ such cameras deployed on CTA, within the next 5-7 years. Each camera utilises an array of 2048 silicon photomultipliers to detect Cherenov light showers of ~10 nanoseconds in width which are produced by a very high energy astroparticle (up to 300 TeV) from a cosmic event of extreme energy. 
Type Of Technology Detection Devices 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact The GCT camera prototype, CHEC-S, a candidate for the CTA Small-Sized telescope (SST) array, was chosen in 2019 in competition with 2 other cameras, to be used on CTA. This prototype has been used to developed the final SST camera design, completed in 2022. 
URL https://www.cta-observatory.org/project/technology/sst/
 
Title TARGET front-end electronics module - third major revision 
Description A third major revision of the TARGET electronics module designed for application to photon-counting cameras deployed on the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). The TARGET module is a 64 channel 12-bit, 1 GSample per second digitizer with trigger functionality. The TARGET front-end electronics module has been improved by: redesign of the analogue electronic design to improve noise performance and the camera energy resolution, and enhancement of the sensor control system to improve operational characteristics and camera calibration CTA is a 350M Euro international facility for astroparticle astronomy. 
Type Of Technology Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact The TARGET front-end electronics (FEE) module is a core component of the electronics systems of the both CHEC and SCT cameras developed for deployment on CTA Small-Sized Telescopes (SST) and Medium-Sized Telescopes (MST) respectively. The final SST array of up to 70 telescopes may require 32 to 60 FEE modules (depending on final format) per camera and each MST requires 177 FEE modules. Thus many thousands of these modules are likely to be eventually deployed on CTA by its completion in the mid-2020s. 
 
Description CTA SST Camera International Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact CTA SST Camera International Workshop to discuss and review technical design, performance, and other issues in preparation for moving towards full scale production of 42 cameras for the SST Southern Site in Chile.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description CTA Science Meeting Jun-21 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Introduction to science with CTA to the wider scientific audience and funders
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL http://cta2021.iopconfs.org/home
 
Description Landau seminar, U. Loughborough 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact A eminar given on the Cherenkov telescope Array for the Landau seminar series at Loughborough University to academics and postgraduate students from the physics department.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022