The design and performance of GRD onboard the GECAM satellite

TL;DR

This paper details the design, assembly, and testing of gamma-ray detectors for the GECAM satellite, demonstrating their performance stability and energy resolution suitability for space applications.

Contribution

It presents a specific design scheme for LaBr3 crystal-based gamma-ray detectors, optimized assembly procedures, and validation through performance and vibration tests.

Findings

Energy resolution <16% at 59.5 keV

Detectors maintain stable performance after vibration tests

Design meets satellite scientific performance requirements

Abstract

Background: Each GECAM satellite payload contains 25 gamma-ray detectors (GRDs), which can detect gamma-rays and particles and can roughly localize the Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). GRD was designed using lanthanum bromide (LaBr3) crystal as the sensitive material with the rear end coupled with silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array for readout. Purpose: In aerospace engineering design of GRD, there are many key points to be studied. In this paper, we present the specific design scheme of GRD, the assembly and the performance test results of detectors. Methods: Based on Monte Carlo simulation and experimental test results, the specific schematic design and assembling process ofGRDwere optimized. After being fully assembled, theGRDswere conducted performance tests by using radioactive source and also conducted random vibration tests. Result and conclusion: The test results show that all satellite-borne GRDs have energy resolution <16% at 59.5 keV, meeting requirements of satellite in scientific performance. The random vibration test shows that GRD can maintain in a stable performance, which meets the requirement of spatial application.