Abstract Details
| Name: Dr Vrishali Murudkar Affiliation: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Conference ID: ASI2025_102 Title : Simulation & optical design optimization studies for a proposed dual mirror Schwarzschild Couder Cherenkov Telescope at Hanle. Authors and Co-Authors : Vrishali Murudkar1, M.P. Das1, K. Chanchalani1, Avijit Prakash2, V. K. Dhar1, M Sharma1, M.K. Kaul1, K.K Yadav1, Gufran Khan2 Abstract Type : Poster Abstract Category : Facilities, Technologies and Data science Abstract : Ground-based Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACT) utilizing a single light collector dish are employed for the study of gamma-ray sources. These telescopes detect Cherenkov light produced by extensive air showers, initiated by gamma & cosmic rays. However, their performance can be compromised by optical aberrations. Recent study has shown that using an aspheric dual-mirror system, such as the Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT), can significantly mitigate these aberrations. In addition to reducing optical distortions, the design ensures improved angular resolution and field of view (FoV) of the telescope. Using an in-house-developed code, we conducted ray tracing simulation studies on a ~4m SCT system to optimize the dimensions of the primary and secondary mirrors, as well as the positioning of the camera and the distance between the secondary mirror and the camera. As aspheric mirrors are employed in SCT design, these are essentially characterized by a sagitta (sag) function, a measure of the surface shape with respect to a plane. Optimizing the sag function coefficients of the aspheric primary and secondary mirrors, has led to a spot size of <5mm at the camera plane, which is comparable to the spot size of similar telescope operated by other groups. Given the challenges associated with fabricating a single ~4m aspheric mirror, we explored a tessellated primary mirror design composed of 12 segments. Here the segment consists of 22 mirrors, each with a diameter of ~230mm, resulting in 264 aspheric facets. We will present the results pertaining to spot size before and after the optimization of the sag coefficients and the tessellated mirror design during the meeting. Additionally, we will also compare the performance of the dual mirror SCT with single mirror IACTs of same size operational elsewhere. |