EPJ Web of Conferences (Jan 2017)

A Major Upgrade of the H.E.S.S. Cherenkov Cameras

  • Lypova Iryna,
  • Giavitto Gianluca,
  • Ashton Terry,
  • Balzer Arnim,
  • Berge David,
  • Brun Francois,
  • Chaminade Thomas,
  • Delagnes Eric,
  • Fontaine Gerard,
  • Füßling Matthias,
  • Giebels Berrie,
  • Glicenstein Jean-Francois,
  • Gräber Tobias,
  • Hinton Jim,
  • Jahnke Albert,
  • Klepser Stefan,
  • Kossatz Marko,
  • Kretzschmann Axel,
  • Lefranc Valentin,
  • Leich Holger,
  • Lüdecke Hartmut,
  • Manigot Pascal,
  • Marandon Vincent,
  • Moulin Emmanuel,
  • de Naurois Mathieu,
  • Nayman Patrick,
  • Ohm Stefan,
  • Penno Marek,
  • Ross Duncan,
  • Salek David,
  • Schade Markus,
  • Schwab Thomas,
  • Simoni Rachel,
  • Stegmann Christian,
  • Steppa Constantin,
  • Thornhill Julian,
  • Toussnel Francois

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201713603002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 136
p. 03002

Abstract

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The High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) is an array of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) located in Namibia. It was built to detect Very High Energy (VHE, >100 GeV) cosmic gamma rays, and consists of four 12 m diameter Cherenkov telescopes (CT1-4), built in 2003, and a larger 28 m telescope (CT5), built in 2012. The larger mirror surface of CT5 permits to lower the energy threshold of the array down to 30 GeV. The cameras of CT1-4 are currently undergoing an extensive upgrade, with the goals of reducing their failure rate, reducing their readout dead time and improving the overall performance of the array. The entire camera electronics has been renewed from ground-up, as well as the power, ventilation and pneumatics systems, and the control and data acquisition software. Technical solutions forseen for the next-generation Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observatory have been introduced, most notably the readout is based on the NECTAr analog memory chip. The camera control subsystems and the control software framework also pursue an innovative design, increasing the camera performance, robustness and flexibility. The CT1 camera has been upgraded in July 2015 and is currently taking data; CT2-4 will upgraded in Fall 2016. Together they will assure continuous operation of H.E.S.S at its full sensitivity until and possibly beyond the advent of CTA. This contribution describes the design, the testing and the in-lab and on-site performance of all components of the newly upgraded H.E.S.S. camera.