Hard X-ray polarimetery with HX-POL

  • Alfred B. Garson
  • , Kuen Lee
  • , Jerrad Martin
  • , Matthias Beilicke
  • , Eric Wulf
  • , Elena Novikova
  • , Henric S. Krawczynski

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

X-ray polarimetry offers a unique vantage to investigate particle acceleration from compact objects and relativistic outflows. The HX-POL concept uses a combination of Si and Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detectors to measure the polarization of 50 keV - 500 keV X-rays from cosmic sources through the azimuthal distribution of Compton scattered events. HX-POL would allow us to measure the polarization degrees of Crab-like sources well below 10% for a one day balloon flight. A longer (15-30 day) flight would improve the polarization degree sensitivity to a few percent. In this contribution, we discuss the sensitivity of a space-borne HX-POL payload, and present new results from laboratory tests of the HX-POL Si and CZT detectors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010
Subtitle of host publicationUltraviolet to Gamma Ray
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
EventSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Jun 28 2010Jul 2 2010

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7732
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period06/28/1007/2/10

Keywords

  • ASIC
  • CZT pixel detectors
  • Polarimetry
  • Si cross strip detectors
  • X-ray

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