Using ACIS on the Chandra X-ray Observatory as a particle radiation monitor

C. E. Grant; B. LaMarr; M. W. Bautz; S. L. O'Dell

doi:10.1117/12.857629

29 July 2010 Using ACIS on the Chandra X-ray Observatory as a particle radiation monitor

C. E. Grant, B. LaMarr, M. W. Bautz, S. L. O'Dell

Proceedings Volume 7732, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 77322I (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857629
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) is one of two focal-plane instruments on the Chandra X-ray Observatory. During initial radiation-belt passes, the exposed ACIS suffered significant radiation damage from trapped soft protons scattering off the x-ray telescope's mirrors. The primary effect of this damage was to increase the charge-transfer inefficiency (CTI) of the ACIS 8 front-illuminated CCDs. Subsequently, the Chandra team implemented procedures to remove the ACIS from the telescope's focus during high-radiation events: planned protection during radiation-belt transits; autonomous protection triggered by an on-board radiation monitor; and manual intervention based upon assessment of space-weather conditions. However, as Chandra's multilayer insulation ages, elevated temperatures have reduced the effectiveness of the on-board radiation monitor for autonomous protection. Here we investigate using the ACIS CCDs themselves as a radiation monitor. We explore the 10-year database to evaluate the CCDs' response to particle radiation and to compare this response with other radiation data and environment models.

Citation Download Citation

C. E. Grant, B. LaMarr, M. W. Bautz, and S. L. O'Dell "Using ACIS on the Chandra X-ray Observatory as a particle radiation monitor", Proc. SPIE 7732, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 77322I (29 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857629

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