Study of High Resolution and High Speed Imaging for the Cherenkov Light and Air Fluorescence Light induced by Air Showers

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We have recently observed the Cherenkov light induced by air showers to search for TeV gamma rays using imaging Cherenkov telescopes and achieved very important results using imaging cameras. In the present study we developed a new high speed video camera system consisting of image intensifiers and a CCD. New optics design of high resolution Cherenkov telescope is also developed to observe the Cherenkov light and fluorescent light induced by the air showers. Lower threshold energy and better precision of coming direction of the high energy gamma rays and cosmic rays are expected using these systems.We have developed the following new camera system and optics system in the present study.1)We made an imaging system which consists of two image intensifiers (I.I.), one with a large diameter of 10cm and another with a high speed gate. This system was measured to have a good spatial resolution of 0.6mm in rms at the entrance surface, and was found to be able to measure a single photoelectron level.2)Trigger signals can be generated by photomultipliers and high speed electric circuits within about 100ns.3)Imaging picture frames of the high speed video camera can be randomly taken at a maximum rate of 250/sec.4)A new type optics for the Cherenkov telescopes was designed and the angular resolution of about 0.03 degree with a viewing angle of 4 degrees was achieved by a simulation.Performance of these systems will be measured by the Konan Cherenkov telescope placed at Ooya Mt. in Hyogo pref. These systems have high sensitivity to measure the single photoelectrons, high spatial resolution and wide field of view. Therefore, they will be able to be used in various research fields such as cosmic ray physics, elementary particle physics, and wider fields of science, engineering and medical science.