Gamma-Ray Burst Follow-up Observations with STACEE During 2003-2007

TL;DR

This paper reports on 20 gamma-ray burst follow-up observations using the STACEE atmospheric Cherenkov telescope between 2003 and 2007, aiming to detect high-energy gamma-ray emissions and constrain burst spectra.

Contribution

It presents the first systematic follow-up results of GRBs with STACEE, including constraints on their high-energy spectra based on observations and redshift data.

Findings

No significant gamma-ray detections were made.

Constraints were placed on the high-energy spectra of observed GRBs.

Observations covered a range of 3 minutes to 15 hours post-burst.

Abstract

The Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE) is an atmospheric Cherenkov telescope (ACT) that uses a large mirror array to achieve a relatively low energy threshold. For sources with Crab-like spectra, at high elevations, the detector response peaks near 100 GeV. Gamma-ray burst (GRB) observations have been a high priority for the STACEE collaboration since the inception of the experiment. We present the results of 20 GRB follow-up observations at times ranging from 3 minutes to 15 hours after the burst triggers. Where redshift measurements are available, we place constraints on the intrinsic high-energy spectra of the bursts.