THE LXECAT INSTRUMENT FOR GAMMA-RAY ASTROPHYSICS

The Liquid Xenon Coded Aperture Telescope (LX-eCAT) and its capability to image astrophysical gamma-ray sources in the MeV region is describ ed. The gamma-ray detector is a Liquid Xenon Time Projection Chamber ( LXe-TPC) triggered by the primary scintillation light. Effective backg round rejection is a direct consequence of the intrinsic three-dimensi onal imaging capability of the LXe-TPC. Initial results with a 10 lite r prototype confirm an energy resolution of 6% FWHM, a position resolu tion of 1 mm RMS and a light triggering efficiency higher than 90% for 1 MeV gamma-rays.