Technological Novelties of Ground-Based Very High Energy Gamma-Ray Astrophysics with the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes

TL;DR

This paper reviews the technological advancements in ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, highlighting their role in discovering gamma-ray sources and the improvements leading to the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive overview of the technological innovations that have driven the success and future development of ground-based gamma-ray astrophysics.

Findings

Discovered ~250 gamma-ray sources of galactic and extragalactic origin.

Current telescopes have solid performance, with the CTA expected to be several times more sensitive.

Technological developments have been crucial in advancing gamma-ray astrophysics.

Abstract

Over the last three decades, the ground-based technique of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes has established itself as a powerful scientific discipline. About 250 very high gamma-ray sources of both galactic and extragalactic origin have been discovered, largely thanks to this technique. The study of these sources provides clues to many fundamental questions in astrophysics, astroparticle physics, cosmic ray physics and cosmology. The current generation of telescopes in operation offers solid performance. Further improvements in this technique led to the next generation large-scale instrument known as the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). In its final configuration, the sensitivity of CTA will be several times higher than that of the current best instruments VERITAS, H.E.S.S. and MAGIC. This article is devoted to presenting the technological developments that have shaped this technique and led to its current success.