Title :
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
fDate :
6/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
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;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
