3 research outputs found
The optical system of the H.E.S.S. imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, Part II: mirror alignment and point spread function
Mirror facets of the H.E.S.S. imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes are
aligned using stars imaged onto the closed lid of the PMT camera, viewed by a
CCD camera. The alignment procedure works reliably and includes the automatic
analysis of CCD images and control of the facet alignment actuators. On-axis,
80% of the reflected light is contained in a circle of less than 1 mrad
diameter. The spot widens with increasing angle to the telescope axis. In
accordance with simulations, the spot size has roughly doubled at an angle of
1.4 degr. from the axis. The expected variation of spot size with elevation due
to deformations of the support structure is visible, but is completely
non-critical over the usual working range. Overall, the optical quality of the
telescope exceeds the specifications.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figure
The optical system of the H.E.S.S. imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, Part I: layout and components of the system
H.E.S.S. -- the High Energy Stereoscopic System -- is a new system of large
imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, with about 100 m^2 mirror area for
each of four telescopes, and photomultiplier cameras with a large field of view
(5 degr.) and small pixels (0.16 degr.). The dish and reflector are designed to
provide good imaging properties over the full field of view, combined with
mechanical stability. The paper describes the design criteria and
specifications of the system, and the individual components -- dish, mirrors,
and Winston cones -- as well as their characteristics. The optical performance
of the telescope as a whole is the subject of a companion paper.Comment: 28 pages, 20 figure