The STACEE-32 ground based gamma-ray detector

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 491; no. 1-2; pp. 126 - 151
• Main Authors: Hanna, D.S., Bhattacharya, D., Boone, L.M., Chantell, M.C., Conner, Z., Covault, C.E., Dragovan, M., Fortin, P., Gregorich, D.T., Hinton, J.A., Mukherjee, R., Ong, R.A., Oser, S., Ragan, K., Scalzo, R.A., Schuette, D.R., Théoret, C.G., Tümer, T.O., Williams, D.A., Zweerink, J.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 21-09-2002
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-9002(02)01126-9

We describe the design and performance of the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment detector in its initial configuration (STACEE-32). STACEE is a new ground-based gamma-ray detector using the atmospheric Cherenkov technique. In STACEE, the heliostats of a solar energy research array are used to collect and focus the Cherenkov photons produced in gamma-ray induced air showers. The large Cherenkov photon collection area of STACEE results in a gamma-ray energy threshold below that of previous detectors.