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Performance Verification of the Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer GEMS X-Ray Polarimeterolarimetry is a powerful tool for astrophysical observations that has yet to be exploited in the X-ray band. For satellite-borne and sounding rocket experiments, we have developed a photoelectric gas polarimeter to measure X-ray polarization in the 2-10 keV range utilizing a time projection chamber (TPC) and advanced micro-pattern gas electron multiplier (GEM) techniques. We carried out performance verification of a flight equivalent unit (1/4 model) which was planned to be launched on the NASA Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS) satellite. The test was performed at Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) facility in April 2013. The polarimeter was irradiated with linearly-polarized monochromatic X-rays between 2.3 and 10.0 keV and scanned with a collimated beam at 5 different detector positions. After a systematic investigation of the detector response, a modulation factor greater than or equal to 35% above 4 keV was obtained with the expected polarization angle. At energies below 4 keV where the photoelectron track becomes short, diffusion in the region between the GEM and readout strips leaves an asymmetric photoelectron image. A correction method retrieves an expected modulation angle, and the expected modulation factor, approximately 20% at 2.7 keV. Folding the measured values of modulation through an instrument model gives sensitivity, parameterized by minimum detectable polarization (MDP), nearly identical to that assumed at the preliminary design review (PDR).
Document ID
20160005186
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Enoto, Teruaki
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Black, J. Kevin
(Adnet Systems, Inc. Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kitaguchi, Takao
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Hayato, Asami
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Hill, Joanne E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Jahoda, Keith
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Tamagawa, Toru
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Kanako, Kenta
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Takeuchi, Yoko
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Yoshikawa, Akifumi
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Kenward, David
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
April 19, 2016
Publication Date
June 22, 2014
Publication Information
Publication: Proceedings of SPIE
Publisher: SPIE
Volume: 9144
ISSN: 0277-786X
ISBN: 9.78E+12
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Instrumentation And Photography
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN28520
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JSPS KAKENHI 24740185
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG06EO90A
CONTRACT_GRANT: JSPS KAKENHI 22244034
CONTRACT_GRANT: JSPS KAKENHI 24-3320
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG12PL17C
CONTRACT_GRANT: USP-SMD-12-14
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Time Projection
X-ray Polarization
Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS)

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