Steve Biller

Abstract:

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory is a second-generation water Cherenkov detector designed to determine whether the currently observed solar neutrino deficit is a result of neutrino oscillations. The detector is unique in its use of D2O as a detection medium, permitting it to make a solar model-independent test of the neutrino oscillation hypothesis by comparison of the charged- and neutral-current interaction rates. In this paper the physical properties, construction, and preliminary operation of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory are described. Data and predicted operating parameters are provided whenever possible.

Abstract:

The close relation between ground-based TeV observations and satellite borne γ-ray measurements has been important for the understanding of blazars. The observations which involve the TeV component in blazar studies are reviewed. © 1999 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N.V. Published by license under the Gordon and Breach Science Publishers imprint.

Abstract:

A knowledge of the absolute efficiency of the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) used in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) is important for modelling the behaviour of the detector. While the quantum efficiencies for the PMTs are known, the efficiency in single-photon counting mode (which includes collection efficiency and counting efficiency) is of more relevance. A calibration of the 8 in. Hamamatsu R1408 photomultipliers in this mode requires a known flux of incident light at the very low level of 10-16 W cm-2 (250 photons cm-2 s-1). A method of performing such measurements, utilising the extreme linearity obtainable with silicon photodiodes, is presented in this paper. The results of efficiency measurements on four PMTs are given and a comparison is made with previous results obtained using a Cherenkov source of known intensity.

Abstract:

The ANTARES project is an international collaboration with the aim of building a deep-sea large area neutrino telescope within the next decade. The achievements and status of the project as at the time of the conference are briefly discussed, and short term steps as well as longer term plans are described.

Abstract:

The results of recent studies which seek to probe fundamental aspects of astrophysics using TeV gamma-ray observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are presented. These analyses take advantage of both spectral and temporal information together with the unique combination of the very high energies and large distance scales involved. The next generation of instruments currently planned are expected to make substantial improvements in the study of such phenomena. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.