The focal plane cameras of the ASTRI Mini-Array air-Cherenkov telescopes for gamma ray astronomy

作者：G. Sottile, P. Sangiorgi, C. Gargano, F. Lo Gerfo, M. Corpora, D. Mollica, G. Contino, T. Mineo, O. Catalano, M. Capalbi, G. Leto, A. Micciché, G. Bellassai, M. Bellassai, E. Martinetti, G. Nicotra, C. Lauretta, S. Scuderi, A. Crestan, A. Giuliani, M. Buzzi, G. Pareschi, L. Lessio, G. Tosti, A. Abba, F. Caponio, A. Cusimano, J. Fluery, S.O. Ahmad, J.B. Cizel, F. Perez · 发表于：Journal of Instrumentation · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1088/1748-0221/21/04/c04090 · 研究领域：Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena、Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies、Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae

Abstract This work describes the design, development, and calibration of cameras for the nine innovative dual-mirror imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes of the ASTRI Mini-Array project. This international initiative, led by the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), focuses on ground-based gamma-ray astronomy using the air Cherenkov technique. Located at the Observatorio del Teide in Tenerife, Canary Islands, the ASTRI Mini-Array will perform high-sensitivity, high-angular-resolution observations of the gamma-ray universe across the 1 TeV to a few hundred TeV energy range. The cameras used in the ASTRI Mini-Array are the ultimate evolution of the prototype system tested at the ASTRI-Horn telescope pathfinder since 2016 Proc. SPIE 9906 (2016) 99065T, on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy. This prototype provided valuable experience with gamma-ray observations using the atmospheric Cherenkov technique, dual-mirror optics, and cameras based on multi-pixel Silicon Photo Multiplier (SiPM) detectors. The new ASTRI cameras incorporate SiPM technology, using fast, low-power peak detectors thanks to the custom ASIC CITIROC, developed jointly by INAF and the French company Weeroc. Since the initial design phases, the camera has incorporated advanced, efficient engineering solutions to enhance its performance and effectiveness. Built into the structure, the thermal control system (which requires no external cooling liquids) and the focal plane calibration subsys...