Simulating the performance of the Southern Wide-view Gamma-ray Observatory

Abstract

The Southern Wide-view Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO) will be a next-generation gamma-ray observatory using a large array of particle detectors at a high elevation site in South America. This project is currently in a three years R&D phase in which the design will be optimised for cost and performance. Therefore it is crucial to efficiently evaluate the impact of different design options on the scientific objectives of the observatory. In this contribution, we will introduce the strategy and the simulation framework in which this evaluation takes place.

A double-layered Water Cherenkov Detector array for Gamma-ray astronomy

“…To relate the performance of individual WCD units to the performance of an array as a whole and in particular to the achievable angular resolution and 𝛾/hadron separation power, we carried out simulations based on the SWGO reference design [31]. We continue using the HAWCSim tool that has been validated by the HAWC collaboration, as explained in Section 3.…”

Optimization Studies of a Water Cherenkov Detector for Gamma-ray Astronomy

“…To relate the performance of individual WCD units to the performance of an array as a whole and in particular to the achievable angular resolution and γ/hadron separation power, we carried out simulations based on the SWGO reference design Schoorlemmer et al [30]. We continue using the HAWCSim tool that has been validated by the HAWC collaboration, as explained in Section 3.…”

Performance comparison of water Cherenkov detectors with different geometries

“…To simulate the particles crossing the tanks and their response, we used the HAWCSim framework1 [6], which makes use of GEANT4 [7] to simulate the interaction of the particle with the tank itself and the water volume, including the production of the Cherenkov photons that can be detected by the PMTs inside the tank.…”