Development of the TIGRE Compton telescope for intermediate-energy gamma-ray astronomy

Gamma-ray observations in the low and medium energy range (0.1-100 MeV) with sufficiently sensitive telescopes will provide unique insights into many outstanding high-energy astrophysics questions. The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Tracking and Imaging Gamma-Ray Telescope (TIGRE) Compton gamma-ray telescope uses multilayers of silicon strip detectors to, for the first time, track the Compton electron and CsI(Tl)-photodiode detectors to measure the scattered photon energy. By combining the Compton telescope's inherent imaging capability with improved background discrimination, a larger field-of-view and improved spectral and spatial resolutions, a significant improvement in sensitivity over Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) and INTEGRAL can be achieved. The well-type calorimeter design also enhances the instrument as a gamma-ray polarimeter. The development and flight of a robust Compton telescope represents a unique opportunity to continue the momentum of recent discoveries in low and medium energy gamma-ray astrophysics with CGRO and an absolutely essential step to an extended satellite mission by 2010.