Development of a high energy X-ray polarimeter for small satellites

Author

Gunji, S. ; Austin, R.A. ; Elsner, R.F. ; Ramsey, B.D. ; Weisskopf, M.C.

Author_Institution

Nat. Res. Council, USA

Volume

44

Issue

3

fYear

1997

fDate

6/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

577

Lastpage

580

Abstract

We are developing a Thomson-scattering-type polarimeter sensitive in the energy range from 10 keV to 20 keV for a small satellite. The polarimeter consists of three beryllium disks as scatterers and a cylindrical position-sensitive proportional counter as a detector of the scattered X-rays. Its performance has been investigated through computer simulations. From these, it was concluded that the polarimeter can obtain a modulation factor of 34%, a detection efficiency of ~10%, and a minimum detectable polarization of about 3.0% for Her X-1 in 2 keV bands and a 2×10⁵ sec observation

Keywords

X-ray astronomy; X-ray detection; astronomical instruments; multiwire proportional chambers; polarimeters; position sensitive particle detectors; 10 percent; 10 to 20 keV; Be; Be disks; Thomson-scattering-type polarimeter; computer simulation; detection efficiency; high energy X-ray polarimeter; minimum detectable polarization; modulation factor; position-sensitive proportional counter; small satellite; Azimuthal angle; Computer simulation; Councils; Instruments; NASA; Polarization; Position sensitive particle detectors; Radiation detectors; Satellites; X-ray scattering;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.603714

Filename

603714