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.
@article{arxiv.0911.2015,
title = {An LED-based Flasher System for VERITAS},
author = {D. Hanna and A. McCann and M. McCutcheon and L. Nikkinen},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0911.2015},
year = {2014}
}
Comments
Accepted for publication in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A