The anti-coincidence detector subsystem for ComPair

Abstract

ComPair is a prototype gamma-ray telescope for the development of key technologies for next-generation gammaray detectors consisting of four subsystems: a 10-layer double-sided silicon strip detector tracker, a cadmium zinc telluride calorimeter, a cesium iodide calorimeter, and a plastic anti-coincidence detector (ACD). The ACD acts as an active shield to veto charged particle events and consists of 5 plastic scintillating panels. ComPair was launched as a balloon payload from Ft. Sumner, New Mexico and completed a 6-hour flight on August 27, 2023. Here we detail the design and calibration of the ComPair ACD, and report on the ACD's veto efficiency and other performance metrics during the ComPair flight.