Calibrating the IXPE observatory from ground to space

Journal
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
•
Baldini, Luca
•
Baumgartner, Wayne
•
•
•
Kolodziejczak, Jeffery
•
Latronico, Luca
•
•
O'Dell, Stephen L.
•
Ramsey, Brian
•
Sgrò, Carmelo
•
•
Tennant, Allyn
•
Weisskopf, Martin C.
DOI
Abstract
The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) will be the next SMEX mission launched by NASA in 2021 in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI). IXPE will perform groundbreaking measurements of imaging polarization in X-rays for a number of different classes of sources with three identical telescopes, finally (re)opening a window in the high energy Universe after more than 40 years since the first pioneering results. The unprecedented sensitivity of IXPE to polarization poses peculiar requirements on the payload calibration, e.g. the use of polarized and completely unpolarized radiation, both on ground and in orbit, and can not rely on a systematic comparison with results obtained by previous observatories. In this paper, we will present the IXPE calibration plan, describing both calibrations which will be performed on the detectors at INAF-IAPS in Rome (Italy) and the calibration on the mirror and detector assemblies which will be carried out at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. On orbit calibrations, performed with calibrations sources mounted on a filter wheel and placed in front of each detector when necessary, will be presented as well.
Coverage
UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XX
All editors
Siegmund, Oswald H.
Volume
10397
Start page
103970G
Conferenece
UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XX
Conferenece place
San Diego, California, United States
Conferenece date
6-10 August, 2017
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0277-786X
Ads BibCode
2017SPIE10397E..0GM
Rights
open.access
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