Determination of IBIS mask transmission matrix

The high-angular resolution imager IBIS is one of the two main instruments aboard the ESA INTEGRAL satellite launched in October 2002. IBIS uses coded aperture mask technique in order to provide the required imaging capabilities for energies between 15 and 10 MeV.The precise knowledge of the coded mask response function critically determine the IBIS imaging performances. In this paper, we present a general description of the IBIS coded mask design together with its main features. Transparency and homogeneity values of the IBIS mask flight model from our laboratory measurements are presented with indication of the instrumental set-up used and accuracy achieved. Mask transmission as a function of the energy and incident angle is presented and compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, the mask transmission matrix for on-axis photons corrected for sources at infinity is also discussed.