Performance of the scattering and crystal polarimeters for the SPECTRUM-X-Gamma mission

Ronald F. Elsner; Martin C. Weisskopf; Robert Novick; Philip E. Kaaret; Eric H. Silver

doi:10.1117/12.22073

1 October 1990 Performance of the scattering and crystal polarimeters for the SPECTRUM-X-Gamma mission

Ronald F. Elsner, Martin C. Weisskopf, Robert Novick, Philip E. Kaaret, Eric H. Silver

Proceedings Volume 1317, Polarimetry: Radar, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, and X-Ray; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.22073
Event: Polarimetry '90, 1990, Huntsville, AL, United States

Abstract

X-ray scattering from a lithium disk and Bragg reflection from a mosaic graphite crystal can be exploited to measure the linear polarization of radiation emitted from cosmic X-ray sources. The sensitivity is enhanced if the polarimeters are placed at the focus of an X-ray telescope. Such devices form two of the components of the Stellar X-ray Polarimeter experiment scheduled to fly on the Spectrum-X-Gamma mission. The expected on-axis performance of the two components is described based on detailed Monte Carlo simulations. The polarimetry experiment is expected to provide sensitive measurements of linear polarization for many cosmic X-ray sources. The nature and utility of such observations is described for pulsing X-ray sources such as the Crab pulsar and Her X-1.

Citation Download Citation

Ronald F. Elsner, Martin C. Weisskopf, Robert Novick, Philip E. Kaaret, and Eric H. Silver "Performance of the scattering and crystal polarimeters for the SPECTRUM-X-Gamma mission", Proc. SPIE 1317, Polarimetry: Radar, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, and X-Ray, (1 October 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.22073

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