On-ground characterization of the IXPE polarization angle knowledge
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Abstract
The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has been recently selected for development as part of NASA's Small Explorer program (SMEX), with a launch date in 2021. Developed in a collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), IXPE will perform groundbreaking measurements of imaging polarization in X-rays for a number of different classes of sources including isolated and accreting neutron stars, pulsar wind nebulae, stellar and supermassive black holes. Combining 30 arcsec (HPD) grazing-incidence X-ray optics with the polarization-sensitive Gas Pixel Detectors (GPDs), IXPE will provide two-orders of magnitude improvement in sensitivity over the past flown instruments. The IXPE requested precision on the measurement of the polarization angle (better than 0.2 degrees at instrument level) poses strict constraints on the detector unit (DU) mechanical design and requires the implementation of a specific alignment and measurement strategy to meet the scientific requirements. In this paper we describe the design solutions that will be implemented in the DU flight models as well as a step-by-step metrology procedure that will ensure the fulfillment of the scientific requirement.
Coverage
UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XX
All editors
Siegmund, Oswald H.
Series
Volume
10397
Start page
103971H
Conferenece
UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XX
Conferenece place
San Diego, California, United States
Conferenece date
6-10 agosto, 2017
Issn Identifier
0277-786X
Ads BibCode
2017SPIE10397E..1HE
Rights
open.access
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