RAAD: LIGHT-1 CubeSat's payload for the detection of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes

作者：A. Di Giovanni, F. Arneodo, A. Al Qasim, Heyam Alblooshi, F. AlKhouri, Lolowa Alkindi, A. AlMannei, Noora Almarri, M. L. Benabderrahmane, G. Bruno, V. Conicella, O. Fawwaz, Giovanni Franchi, S. Kalos, Panagiotis Oikonomou, L. Perillo, C. Pittori, M. S. Roberts, Rodrigo Torres · 发表于：Journal of Instrumentation · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1088/1748-0221/18/10/p10024 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena、Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics、Earthquake Detection and Analysis

Abstract The Rapid Acquisition Atmospheric Detector (RAAD), onboard the LIGHT-1 3U CubeSat, detects photons between hard X-rays and soft gamma-rays, in order to identify and characterize Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGFs). Three detector configurations are tested, making use of Cerium Bromide and Lanthanum BromoChloride scintillating crystals coupled to photomultiplier tubes or Multi-Pixel Photon Counters, in order to identify the optimal combination for TGF detection. High timing resolution, a short trigger window, and the short decay time of its electronics allow RAAD to perform accurate measurements of prompt, transient events. Here, we describe the overview of the detection concept, the development of the front-end acquisition electronics, as well as the ground testing and simulation that the payload underwent prior to its launch on December 21 st , 2021. We further present an analysis of the detector's in-orbit system behavior and some preliminary results.