In the context of the LAUE project devoted to build a long focal length focusing optics for soft gamma-ray astronomy (70/100 keV to $>$600 keV), we present results of simulation of a Laue lens, based on bent crystals in different assembling configurations (quasi-mosaic and reflection-like geometries). The main aim is to significantly overcome the sensitivity limits of the current generation of gamma-ray telescopes and improve the imaging capability.
In the context of Laue project for focusing hard X-/ soft gamma-rays, an entire Laue lens, using bent Ge(111) crystal tiles, with 40 meters curvature radius, is simulated with a focal length of 20 meters. The focusing energy band is between 80 keV and 600 keV. The distortion of the output image of the lens on the focal plane due to the effect of crystal tile misalignment as well as the radial distortion arising from the curvature of the crystal is discussed in detail. Expected detection efficiency and instrument background is also estimated. Finally the sensitivity of the Laue lens is calculated. A quantitative analysis of the results of these simulation is also presented.
The concept of a gamma-ray telescope based on a Laue lens offers the possibility to increase the sensitivity by more than an order of magnitude with respect to existing instruments. Laue lenses have been developed by our collaboration for several years : the main achievement of this R&D program was the CLAIRE lens prototype. Since then, the endeavour has been oriented towards the development of efficient diffracting elements (crystal slabs), the aim being to step from a technological Laue lens to a scientifically exploitable lens. The latest mission concept featuring a gamma-ray lens is the European Gamma-Ray Imager (GRI) which intends to make use of the Laue lens to cover energies from 200 keV to 1300 keV. Investigations of two promising materials, low mosaicity copper and gradient concentration silicon-germanium are presented in this paper. The measurements have been performed during three runs on beamline ID15A of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, and on the GAMS 4 instrument of the Institute Laue-Langevin (both in Grenoble, France) using highly monochromatic beam of energy close to 500 keV. Despite it was not perfectly homogeneous, the presented copper crystal exhibits peak reflectivity of 25% in accordance with theoretical predictions, and a mosaicity around 26 arcsec, the ideal range for the realization of a Laue lens such as GRI. Silicon-germanium featuring a constant gradient have been measured for the very first time at 500 keV. Two samples showed a quite homogeneous reflectivity reaching 26%, which is far from the 48% already observed in experimental crystals but a very encouraging beginning. This results have been used to estimate the performance of the GRI Laue lens design.
Frequency-domain multiplexing (fMux) is an established technique for the readout of large arrays of transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers. Each TES in a multiplexing module has a unique AC voltage bias that is selected by a resonant filter. This scheme enables the operation and readout of multiple bolometers on a single pair of wires, reducing thermal loading onto sub-Kelvin stages. The current receiver on the South Pole Telescope, SPT-3G, uses a 68x fMux system to operate its large-format camera of $sim$16,000 TES bolometers. We present here the successful implementation and performance of the SPT-3G readout as measured on-sky. Characterization of the noise reveals a median pair-differenced 1/f knee frequency of 33 mHz, indicating that low-frequency noise in the readout will not limit SPT-3Gs measurements of sky power on large angular scales. Measurements also show that the median readout white noise level in each of the SPT-3G observing bands is below the expectation for photon noise, demonstrating that SPT-3G is operating in the photon-noise-dominated regime.
Effective collecting area, angular resolution, field of view and energy response are fundamental attributes of X-ray telescopes. The performance of state-of-the-art telescopes is currently restricted by Wolter optics, especially for hard X-rays. In this paper, we report the development of a new approach - the Stacked Prism Lens, which is lightweight, modular and has the potential for a significant improvement in effective area, while retaining high angular resolution. The proposed optics is built by stacking discs embedded with prismatic rings, created with photoresist by focused UV lithography. We demonstrate the SPL approach using a prototype lens which was manufactured and characterized at a synchrotron radiation facility. The design of a potential satellite-borne X-ray telescope is outlined and the performance is compared to contemporary missions.
Scintillating, cryogenic bolometers are widely used in the field of rare event searches. Their main advantages are an excellent energy resolution and particle identification on an event-by-event basis. The sensitivity of experiments applying this detector technique can be limited by the performance of the light channel and the presence of external backgrounds in the region of interest. In the framework of the CRESST-II experiment, we developed and successfully tested a novel detector design addressing both challenges. Using a large scale ($approx$unit[60]{cm$^2$}), beaker-shaped silicon light absorber, the signal height recorded in the light channel is improved by a factor 2.5 compared to conventional CRESTT-II detector modules. In combination with a large carrier crystal, a true $4pi$ veto system is established which allows to tag external background sources.