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Performance of the PRAXyS X-Ray PolarimeterThe performance of the Time Projection Chamber (TPC) polarimeter for the Polarimeter for Relativistic Astrophysical X-ray Sources (PRAXyS) Small Explorer was evaluated using polarized and unpolarized X-ray sources. The PRAXyS mission will enable exploration of the universe through X-ray polarimetry in the 2-10 keV energy band. We carried out performance tests of the polarimeter at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source (BNL-NSLS) and at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The polarimeter was tested with linearly polarized, monochromatic X-rays at 11 different energies between 2.5 and 8.0 keV. At maximum sensitivity, the measured modulation factors at 2.7, 4.5 and 8.0 keV are 27%, 43% and 59%, respectively and the measured angle of polarization is consistent with the expected value at all energies. Measurements with a broadband, unpolarized X-ray source placed a limit of less than 1% on false polarization in the PRAXyS polarimeter.
Document ID
20170002246
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Iwakiri, W.B.
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Black, J. K.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Cole, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Enoto, T.
(Kyoto Univ. Kyoto, Japan)
Hayato, A.
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Hill, J. E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Jahoda, K.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Kaaret, P.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Kitaguchi, T.
(Hiroshima Univ. Japan)
Kubota, M.
(Tokyo Univ. Japan)
Marlowe, H.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
McCurdy, R.
(Iowa Univ. Iowa City, IA, United States)
Takeuchi, Y.
(Tokyo Univ. Japan)
Tamagawa, T.
(Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Saitama, Japan)
Date Acquired
March 14, 2017
Publication Date
September 13, 2016
Publication Information
Publication: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Volume: 838
ISSN: 0168-9002
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN41158
GSFC-E-DAA-TN39905
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
PRAXyS
Mircopattern gas detector
X-ray Polarimetry

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