CAMELOT: design and performance verification of the detector concept and localization capability

TL;DR

CAMELOT proposes a nanosatellite network using precise timing and advanced detectors to monitor gamma-ray transients with high localization accuracy and a promising detection rate.

Contribution

This paper introduces a novel nanosatellite concept with a specialized detector design and a localization algorithm for gamma-ray transient detection and localization.

Findings

Localization accuracy better than 20 arc minutes

Approximately 10 short gamma-ray bursts detected per year

Effective multi-channel readout enhances detector performance

Abstract

A fleet of nanosatellites using precise timing synchronization provided by the Global Positioning System is a new concept for monitoring the gamma-ray sky that can achieve both all-sky coverage and good localization accuracy. We are proposing this new concept for the mission CubeSats Applied for MEasuring and LOcalising Transients (CAMELOT). The differences in photon arrival times at each satellite are to be used for source localization. Detectors with good photon statistics and the development of a localization algorithm capable of handling a large number of satellites are both essential for this mission. Large, thin CsI scintillator plates are the current candidates for the detectors because of their high light yields. It is challenging to maximize the light-collection efficiency and to understand the position dependence of such thin plates. We have found a multi-channel readout that uses the coincidence technique to be very effective in increasing the light output while keeping a similar noise level to that of a single channel readout. Based on such a detector design, we have developed a localization algorithm for this mission and have found that we can achieve a localization accuracy better than 20 arc minutes and a rate of about 10 short gamma-ray bursts per year.