Soft proton scattering at grazing incidence from X-ray mirrors: analysis of experimental data in the framework of the non-elastic approximation

Amato, Roberta; Mineo, T.; D’Aí, A.; Diebold, S.; Fioretti, Alessandro; Guzmán, A.; Lotti, Simone; Macculi, C.; Molendi, S.; Perinati, E.; Tenzer, C.; Santangelo, A.

doi:10.1007/s10686-020-09657-w

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Results are shown in Figs. 7 and 8, where the scattering efficiencies have been multiplied by the square of the incident angle (as in [1]) and are displayed as a function of the scattering angle divided by the incident one, i.e., Ψ = θ/θ 0 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though the SPO efficiencies are systematically higher than the eROSITA data, they are consistent within the error bars. Due to this consistency, we applied the semi-empirical model proposed in [1] to the scattering efficiencies of SPO, as shown in Fig. 10.…”

Section: Comparison With the Erosita Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the model is generally valid for any surface and contains some approximations, therefore a simple application of the Remizovich formula to the eROSITA data did not exactly reproduce the efficiencies measured in the laboratory [1]. A fit of the experimental data with the Remizovich formula led to the evaluation of the parameter enclosing the micro-physics of the scattering, so that a new analytical semi-empirical model that better reproduces the data from the eROSITA mirror sample was derived [1]. This model can be used to assess the SP flux expected at the instrumental focal plane of the satellite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Athena will orbit around the second Lagrangian point L2 1 of the Earth-Sun system, at a distance of about 1.5 million kilometer from Earth in the anti-Sun direction. This orbit lies in the tail of the Earth magnetosphere, where the particle environment is extremely variable [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A model for the scattering efficiency of ions at grazing incidence from the surface of a material was developed by [11], in non-elastic approximation. However, the model is generally valid for any surface and contains some approximations, therefore a simple application of the Remizovich formula to the eROSITA data did not exactly reproduce the efficiencies measured in the laboratory [1]. A fit of the experimental data with the Remizovich formula led to the evaluation of the parameter enclosing the micro-physics of the scattering, so that a new analytical semi-empirical model that better reproduces the data from the eROSITA mirror sample was derived [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scattering efficiencies measurements of soft protons at grazing incidence from an Athena Silicon Pore Optics sample

et al. 2021

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Soft protons are a potential threat for X-ray missions using grazing incidence optics, as once focused onto the detectors they can contribute to increase the background and possibly induce radiation damage as well. The assessment of these undesired effects is especially relevant for the future ESA X-ray mission Athena, due to its large collecting area. To prevent degradation of the instrumental performance, which ultimately could compromise some of the scientific goals of the mission, the adoption of ad-hoc magnetic diverters is envisaged. Dedicated laboratory measurements are fundamental to understand the mechanisms of proton forward scattering, validate the application of the existing physical models to the Athena case and support the design of the diverters. In this paper we report on scattering efficiency measurements of soft protons impinging at grazing incidence onto a Silicon Pore Optics sample, conducted in the framework of the EXACRAD project. Measurements were taken at two different energies, $\sim $ ∼ 470 keV and $\sim $ ∼ 170 keV, and at four different scattering angles between 0.6∘ and 1.2∘. The results are generally consistent with previous measurements conducted on eROSITA mirror samples, and as expected the peak of the scattering efficiency is found around the angle of specular reflection.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Comparison With the Erosita Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Scattering efficiencies measurements of soft protons at grazing incidence from an Athena Silicon Pore Optics sample

et al. 2021

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Estimate of the background and sensitivity of the follow-up X-ray telescope onboard Einstein Probe

Zhang

Yang

et al. 2022

Astroparticle Physics

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Unveiling the origin ofXMM-Newtonsoft proton flares

Fioretti,

Mineo,

Lotti

et al. 2024

A&A

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Low-energy ($<$ 300 keV) protons entering the field of view of XMM-Newton can scatter with the X-ray mirror surface and reach the focal plane. They are observed in the form of a sudden increase in the background level, the so-called soft proton flares, affecting up to 40<!PCT!> of the mission observing time. Soft protons can hardly be disentangled from true X-ray events and cannot be rejected on board. All future high throughput grazing incidence X-ray telescopes operating outside the radiation belts are potentially affected by soft proton-induced contamination that must be foreseen and limited since the design phase. In-flight XMM-Newton 's observations of soft protons represent a unique laboratory to validate and improve our understanding of their interaction with the mirror, optical filters, and X-ray instruments. At the same time, such models would link the observed background flares to the primary proton population encountered by the telescope, converting XMM-Newton into a monitor for soft protons. We built a Geant4 simulation of XMM-Newton including a verified mass model of the X-ray mirror, the focal plane assembly, and the EPIC MOS and pn-CCDs. Analytical computations and, when available, laboratory measurements collected from literature were used to verify the correct modelling of the proton scattering and transmission to the detection plane. Similarly to the instrument X-ray response, we encoded the energy redistribution and proton transmission efficiency into a redistribution matrix file (RMF), mapping the probability that a proton from 2 to 300 keV is detected in a certain detector channel, and an auxiliary response file (ARF), storing the grasp towards protons. Both files were formatted according to the standard NASA calibration database and any compliant X-ray data analysis tool can be used to simulate or analyse soft proton-induced background spectra. An overall systematic uncertainty of 30<!PCT!> was assumed on the basis of the estimated accuracy of the mirror geometry and transmission models. For the validation, three averaged soft proton spectra, one for each filter configuration, were extracted from a collection of 13 years of MOS observations of the focused non X-ray background and analysed with Xspec . A similar power-law distribution is found for the three filter configurations, plus black-body-like emission below tens of keV used as a correction factor, based on the dedicated spectral analysis of 55 in-flight proton flares presented in Paper II. The best-fit model is in agreement with the power-law distribution predicted from independent measurements for the XMM-Newton orbit, spent mostly in the magnetosheath and nearby regions. For the first time we are able to link detected soft proton flares with the proton radiation environment in the Earth's magnetosphere, while proving the validity of the simulation chain in predicting the background of future missions. Benefiting from this work and contributions from the Athena instrument consortia, we also present the response files for the Athena mission and updated estimates for its focused charged background.

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Soft proton scattering at grazing incidence from X-ray mirrors: analysis of experimental data in the framework of the non-elastic approximation

Cited by 6 publications

References 22 publications

Scattering efficiencies measurements of soft protons at grazing incidence from an Athena Silicon Pore Optics sample

Scattering efficiencies measurements of soft protons at grazing incidence from an Athena Silicon Pore Optics sample

Estimate of the background and sensitivity of the follow-up X-ray telescope onboard Einstein Probe

Unveiling the origin ofXMM-Newtonsoft proton flares

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