Design Concepts for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

TL;DR

The paper discusses the design concepts for the Cherenkov Telescope Array, a next-generation gamma-ray observatory aiming for significantly improved sensitivity and full-sky coverage using advanced atmospheric Cherenkov telescope technology.

Contribution

It presents the major design concepts and current status of CTA, outlining how it will enhance gamma-ray astronomy with improved sensitivity and broader energy coverage.

Findings

CTA will achieve 5-10 times better sensitivity than current instruments.

It will include two arrays for full sky coverage in the northern and southern hemispheres.

The design is based on existing technology, ensuring feasibility and progress.

Abstract

Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV to 10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.