arXiv subjects

A. Bakalová

Publications and source records attributed to A. Bakalová.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Prospects for the detection of gamma rays using Cherenkov telescopes enhanced by a ground array observatory

We study through detailed simulated data and their optimized analysis the expected performance of the Single-Mirror Small-Size imaging atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (SST-1M) potentially located inside a high-altitude array of Water-Cherenkov Detectors (WCDs) inspired by the current foreseen design of the Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO). For such a hybrid setup, we show an improvement in the flux sensitivity above 10 TeV by about 60% for monocular and 30% for stereoscopic SST-1M observation, due to the improved gamma/hadron separation when additional parameters from the WCD array are used. We also discuss further benefits of the hybrid gamma observatory concept and its technical challenges.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

Azimuthal fluctuations and number of muons at the ground in muon-depleted proton air showers at PeV energies

Muon counting is an effective strategy for discriminating between gamma and hadron-initiated air showers. However, their detection, which requires shielded detectors, is highly expensive and challenging to implement across large, environmentally sensitive areas. This work allowed to establish for the first time that at PeV energies the gamma/hadron discriminator based on the new $LCm$ variable have proton rejection levels of the order of $10^{-4}$, outperforming the discrimination power based on the counting of the number of muons. A thorough examination of muon depleted showers at the PeV energies and the simulation strategy devised to achieve the required $\mathcal{O}(10^6)$ simulated showers is presented.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

The Mercedes water Cherenkov detector

The concept of a small, single-layer water Cherenkov detector, with three photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), placed at its bottom in a $120^{\circ}$ star configuration (\emph{Mercedes} Water Cherenkov Detector) is presented. The PMTs are placed near the lateral walls of the stations with an adjustable inclination and may be installed inside or outside the water volume. To illustrate the technical viability of this concept and obtain a first-order estimation of its cost, an engineering design was elaborated. The sensitivity of these stations to low energy Extensive Air Shower (EAS) electrons, photons and muons is discussed, both in compact and sparse array configurations. It is shown that the analysis of the intensity and time patterns of the PMT signals, using machine learning techniques, enables the tagging of muons, achieving an excellent gamma/hadron discrimination for TeV showers. This concept minimises the station production and maintenance costs, allowing for a highly flexible and fast installation. Mercedes Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCDs) are thus well-suited for use in high-altitude large gamma-ray observatories covering an extended energy range from the low energies, closing the gap between satellite and ground-based measurements, to very high energy regions, beyond the PeV scale.

physics.ins-det↗