The x-ray advanced concepts testbed (XACT) sounding rocket payload

Gendreau, Keith C.; Arzoumanian, Zaven; Asami, Fumi; Baker, R.; Balsamo, Erin; Black, K. M.; Duran-Aviles, Carlos; Enoto, T.; Gregory, Kyle; Hahne, D. J.; Hayato, Asami; Hill, J. E.; Huegel, Fred; Iwahashi, T.; Iwakiri, W.; Jahoda, K.; Jalota, Lalit; Kaaret, Philip; Kaneko, Kenta; Kenyon, Steven; Kitaguchi, Takao; Koenecke, Richard; Kohmura, Takayoshi; Okajima, Takashi; Olsen, L.; Porter, F. S.; Rush, Kurt; Serlemitsos, P. J.; Soong, Yang; Takeuchi, Yoko; Tamagawa, Toru; Yamada, S.; Yoshikawa, A.

doi:10.1117/12.926418

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…In order to satisfy the conditions, the target drift velocity should be 0.24248 cm µs −1 . This drift velocity was calibrated using a modulated X-ray source (MXS), 22 and the drift field was set at 195.68 V cm −1 . The transfer field between the GEM and ROB was set at 1627 V cm −1 to maximize charge collection on the strips.…”

Section: Beamline Measurementmentioning

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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Section: Beamline Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2014

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“…The distribution of hole diameters across the LCP-GEM is homogeneous with a standard deviation of about 3% [3,4]. The primary purpose of our LCP-GEM development is to construct a photoelectric X-ray polarimeter on-board the NASA's sounding rocket, XACT, the first dedicated mission for highsensitive observation of cosmic X-ray polarization [5]. To detect linear X-ray polarization with the photoelectric effect which is the dominant interaction in the X-ray region, it is necessary to know the direction of photoelectrons emission.…”

Section: Jinst 9 C01002mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, a low-pressure gas decreases the X-ray detection efficiency of the polarimeter. We anticipate that the optimum gas pressure for DME ranges from 50 to 150 Torr in consideration of trade-off between detected count rate and modulation factor [5]. However LCP-GEMs have never been operated below 190 Torr.…”

Section: Jinst 9 C01002mentioning

confidence: 99%

Property of LCP-GEM in pure dimethyl ether at low pressure

et al. 2014

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We present a systematic investigation of the gain properties of a gas electron multiplier (GEM) foil in pure dimethyl ether (DME) at low pressures. The GEM is made from copperclad liquid crystal polymer insulator (LCP-GEM) designed for space use, and is applied to a time projection chamber filled with low-pressure DME gas to observe the linear polarization of cosmic X-rays. We have measured gains of a 100 µm-thick LCP-GEM as a function of the voltage between GEM electrodes at various gas pressures ranging from 10 to 190 Torr with 6.4 keV X-rays. The highest gain at 190 Torr is about 2×10 4 , while that at 20 Torr is about 500. We find that the pressure and electric-field dependence of the GEM gain is described by the first Townsend coefficient. The energy scale from 4.5 to 8.0 keV is linear with non-linearity of less than 1.4% above 30 Torr.

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“…That work primarily focused on a fundamental investigation of the shutterless system (e.g., influence of electron penetration depth, electrical field settings, and ionization time). Compared to the previous investigations that were limited to constantly emitting X-ray sources, the current X-ray source developed by Gendreau et al incorporates an innovative method of generating discrete X-ray pulses by amplifying electrons produced via the photoelectric effect, followed by acceleration of the electron cascade into a target. To highlight its compatibility with the IMS experiment, the modulation of the X-rays is achieved by a standard 0–5 V transistor–transistor logic (TTL) which modulates a UV light-emitting diode (LED).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of a Modulated X-ray Source for Ion Mobility Spectrometry

et al. 2022

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As a highly deployed field instrument for the detection of narcotics, explosives, and chemical warfare agents, drift tube ion mobility spectrometry relies heavily upon the performance of the ionization source and mechanism of ion beam modulation. For this instrumental platform, ion chemistry plays a critical role in the performance of the instrument from a sensitivity and selectivity perspective; however, a range of instrumental components also occupy pivotal roles. Most notably, the mechanism of ion modulation or ion gating is a primary contributor to peak width in a drift tube ion mobility experiment. Unfortunately, physical ion gates rarely perform perfectly, and in addition to serving as physical impediments to ion transmission, their modulation also has undesirable field effects. Using a recently developed modulated, non-radioactive X-ray source, we detail the performance of an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) system that is free of a gating structure and utilizes the pulsed nature of the modulated X-ray source (MXS) for both ion generation and initiation of the IMS experiment. After investigating the influence of pulse duration and spatial X-ray beam width on the analytical performance of the instrument, the possibility of using multiplexing with a shutterless system is explored. By increasing ion throughput, the observed multiplexing gain compared to a signal-averaged spectrum approaches the theoretical maximum and illustrates the capability of the MXS−IMS system to realize significant signal to noise improvements.

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The x-ray advanced concepts testbed (XACT) sounding rocket payload

Cited by 11 publications

References 8 publications

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

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

Property of LCP-GEM in pure dimethyl ether at low pressure

Characterization of a Modulated X-ray Source for Ion Mobility Spectrometry

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