Imaging proportional counters for the stellar x-ray polarimeter

Robert B. Watkins Jr.; Philip E. Kaaret

doi:10.1117/12.23244

1 November 1990 Imaging proportional counters for the stellar x-ray polarimeter

Robert B. Watkins Jr., Philip E. Kaaret

Proceedings Volume 1344, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.23244
Event: 34th Annual International Technical Symposium on Optical and Optoelectronic Applied Science and Engineering, 1990, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The xenon-filled IPCs being developed for the Stellar X-ray Polarimeter are described. The requirements placed on the IPCs by the design of the polarimeter are discussed and results on the performance of prototype counters are presented. The design of a prototype of the IPCs is described. Finally, the performance of the prototype is reported. Due to the extremely low count rates encountered in X-ray polarimetry, efficient background rejection is the most critical parameter of the IPCs. Using a background rejection scheme employing anticoincidence and pulse shape discrimination, a rejection efficiency of 99 percent has been achieved for Co-60-induced events over an energy range of 2 to 15 keV while retaining more than 80 percent of the X-ray efficiency.

Citation Download Citation

Robert B. Watkins Jr. and Philip E. Kaaret "Imaging proportional counters for the stellar x-ray polarimeter", Proc. SPIE 1344, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy, (1 November 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.23244

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