Multistep fluorescence gated proportional countersA proportional counter is introduced in which the levels of energy and spatial resolutions and background rejection permit the application of the device to X-ray astronomy. A multistep approach is employed in which photons cause a signal that triggers the system and measures the energy of the incident photon. The multistep approach permits good energy resolution from parallel geometry and from the imaging stage due to coupling of the imaging and amplification stages. The design also employs fluorescence gating to reduce background, a method that is compatible with the multistep technique. Use of the proportional counter is reported for NASA's supernova campaign, and the pair background is below 0.0001 counts/sq cm sec keV at the xenon k-edge. Potential improvements and applications are listed including the CASES, POF, and EXOSS mission programs.
Document ID
19910063376
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ramsey, Brian D. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Weisskopf, Martin C. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Meeting Information
Meeting: High-energy astrophysics in the 21st century