A new photoelectron imager for X-ray astronomical polarimetry

Monaca, A. La; Costa, E.; Soffitta, P.; Persio, Giuseppe Di; Manzan, Marco; Martino, B.; Patria, Giorgio; Cappuccio, G.; Zema, N.

doi:10.1016/s0168-9002(98)00486-0

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…While the X-ray polarimetry missions described earlier used Bragg and Thomson scattering designs, the polarisation of a photon can also be determined by exploiting the spatial correlation between incident electric vector and the ejection direction of the resulting photoelectron. The effect can be detected in a multi-wire proportional counter [25] and has been exploited in CCDs [26], with various schemes being proposed to increase the efficiency of these systems [27,28]. More recent work on detecting the direction of ejected photoelectrons has concerned a novel design of micro-pattern gas detector [30].…”

Section: Comparison With Existing Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dichroic Filters For Astronomical X-Ray Polarimetry

et al. 2006

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We describe a programme of research to investigate materials which exhibit linear dichroism at X-ray wavelengths, and to assess their potential as astronomical X-ray polarimeters. The availability of polarising filters for X-rays would offer an efficient method of quantifying the polarisation of X-ray radiation from distant, cosmic sources. A polarising dichroic filter is expected to be a compact, low mass device which could add polarimetry capability to an instrument by being introduced into the optical path ahead of a detector. We provide estimates of sensitivity in the context of the proposed XEUS observatory, which compare favourably with those for the most promising alternative technology. We also discuss a number of astrophysical sources which are suited to polarimetric study at discrete energies offered by the X-ray dichroic filter design.

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Section: Comparison With Existing Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dichroic Filters For Astronomical X-Ray Polarimetry

et al. 2006

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“…The polarization information is derived from the tracks of the photoelectrons reconstructed on the pixel readout plane; the total charge collected on the anode is proportional to the energy released, so that the MPGD provides also information about photon energy. An alternative approach tried by other groups [10], [11] could consist in the collection of the light (instead of the charge) produced in the avalanche.…”

Section: The Instrumentmentioning

confidence: 99%

X-ray polarimetry with a micro pattern gas detector with pixel readout

Bellazzini

Angelini

Baldini³

et al. 2002

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

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In astronomy there are basically four kinds of observations to extract the information carried by electromagnetic radiation: photometry, imaging, spectroscopy, and polarimetry. By optimal exploitation of the first three techniques, X-ray astronomy has been able to unveil the violent world of compact high-energy sources. Here, we report on a new instrument that brings high efficiency also to X-ray polarimetry, the last unexplored field of X-ray astronomy. It will then be possible to resolve the internal structures of compact objects, which otherwise would remain inaccessible even to X-ray interferometry. The new instrument derives the polarization information from the track of the photoelectron imaged by a finely subdivided gas pixel detector. Its great improvement of sensitivity (at least two order of magnitude) will allow direct exploration of the most dramatic objects of the X-ray sky

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“…This is mainly due to the reduced range of the photoelectrons [26] and to the long drift region. Recently, a different kind of photoelectron imager, more oriented to lower energy photons, was proposed as an x-ray polarimeter [27].…”

Section: Photoelectric Effect and Related Polarimetric Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%