An LED-based Flasher System for VERITAS

Abstract

We describe a flasher system designed for use in monitoring the gains of the photomultiplier tubes used in the VERITAS gamma-ray telescopes. This system uses blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) so it can be operated at much higher rates than a traditional laser-based system. Calibration information can be obtained with better statistical precision with reduced loss of observing time. The LEDs are also much less expensive than a laser. The design features of the new system are presented, along with measurements made with a prototype mounted on one of the VERITAS telescopes.

Accepted for publication in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A

References in corpus (2)

• VERITAS: the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System
• The First VERITAS Telescope

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