Monte-Carlo estimation of the inflight performance of the GEMS satellite x-ray polarimeter

Kitaguchi, Takao; Tamagawa, Toru; Hayato, Asami; Enoto, T.; Yoshikawa, A.; Kaneko, Kenta; Takeuchi, Yoko; Black, K. M.; Hill, J. E.; Jahoda, K.; Krizmanic, John F.; Sturner, Steven J.; Griffiths, S.; Kaaret, Philip; Marlowe, Hannah

doi:10.1117/12.2057334

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The obscuring effects include Coulomb scattering, electron diffusion, charge associated with an isotropically emitted Auger electron and foreshortening of tracks when projected onto the readout plane. These instrumental effects are confirmed by Monte-Carlo simulation [18] and are characterized by low eccentricity.…”

Section: Event Selectionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Performance of the PRAXyS X-ray polarimeter

Iwakiri

Black

Cole

et al. 2016

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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The performance of the Time Projection Chamber (TPC) polarimeter for the Polarimeter for Relativistic Astrophysical X-ray Sources (PRAXyS) Small Explorer was evaluated using polarized and unpolarized X-ray sources. The PRAXyS mission will enable exploration of the universe through X-ray polarimetry in the 2-10 keV energy band. We carried out performance tests of the polarimeter at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source (BNL-NSLS) and at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The polarimeter was tested with linearly polarized, monochromatic X-rays at 11 different energies between 2.5 and 8.0 keV. At maximum sensitivity, the measured modulation factors at 2.7, 4.5 and 8.0 keV are 27%, 43% and 59%, respectively and the measured angle of polarization is consistent with the expected value at all energies. Measurements with a broadband, unpolarized X-ray source placed a limit of less than 1% on false polarization in the PRAXyS polarimeter.

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Section: Event Selectionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Performance of the PRAXyS X-ray polarimeter

Iwakiri

Black

Cole

et al. 2016

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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“…[14][15][16] Although the GEMS mission, originally planned to be launched in 2013, was not confirmed for implementation, the verification and development of the polarimeter has continued. [17][18][19] The X-ray polarimeter at the GEMS focal plane is a gas proportional counter enhanced by a time projection chamber (TPC) technique. 1 Figure 1 illustrates a readout concept of the TPC X-ray polarimeter.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance verification of the Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small explorer (GEMS) x-ray polarimeter

et al. 2014

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Polarimetry is a powerful tool for astrophysical observations that has yet to be exploited in the X-ray band. For satellite-borne and sounding rocket experiments, we have developed a photoelectric gas polarimeter to measure X-ray polarization in the 2-10 keV range utilizing a time projection chamber (TPC) and advanced micro-pattern gas electron multiplier (GEM) techniques. We carried out performance verification of a flight equivalent unit (1/4 model) which was planned to be launched on the NASA Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS) satellite. The test was performed at Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) facility in April 2013. The polarimeter was irradiated with linearly-polarized monochromatic X-rays between 2.3 and 10.0 keV and scanned with a collimated beam at 5 different detector positions. After a systematic investigation of the detector response, a modulation factor ≥35% above 4 keV was obtained with the expected polarization angle. At energies below 4 keV where the photoelectron track becomes short, diffusion in the region between the GEM and readout strips leaves an asymmetric photoelectron image. A correction method retrieves an expected modulation angle, and the expected modulation factor, ∼20% at 2.7 keV. Folding the measured values of modulation through an instrument model gives sensitivity, parameterized by minimum detectable polarization (MDP), nearly identical to that assumed at the preliminary design review (PDR).

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“…The simulator designed and developed for the time projection chamber (TPC) polarimeter [13] can reproduce the passage of X-rays and electrons through dimethyl ether gas at a pressure of 190 Torr, and generate photoelectron track images with the same dimensions as physical ones. It accounts for detector effects such as image blurring due to diffusion of drifting electrons to a readout electrode, electron amplification by a gas electron multiplier (GEM), and image elongation due to signal shaping with a time constant of 50 ns.…”

Section: Input Data: Photoelectron Track Imagesmentioning

confidence: 99%