Performance of an Ar-DME imaging photoelectric polarimeter

S. Fabiani; R. Bellazzini; F. Berrilli; A. Brez; E. Costa; M. Minuti; F. Muleri; M. Pinchera; A. Rubini; P. Soffitta; G. Spandre

doi:10.1117/12.925374

17 September 2012 Performance of an Ar-DME imaging photoelectric polarimeter

S. Fabiani, R. Bellazzini, F. Berrilli, A. Brez, E. Costa, M. Minuti, F. Muleri, M. Pinchera, A. Rubini, P. Soffitta, G. Spandre

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 84431C (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925374
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

The possibility to perform polarimetry in the soft X-ray energy band (2-10 keV) with the Gas Pixel Detector, filled with low Z mixtures, has been widely explored so far. The possibility to extend the technique to higher energies, in combination with multilayer optics, has been also hypothesized in the past, on the basis of simulations. Here we present a recent development to perform imaging polarimetry between 6 and 35 keV, employing a new design for the GPD, filled with a Ar-DME gas mixture at high pressure. In order to improve the efficiency by increasing the absorption gap, while preserving a good parallel electric field, we developed a new configuration characterized by a wider gas cell and a wider GEM. The uniform electric field allows to maintain high polarimetric capabilities without any decrease of spectroscopic and imaging properties. We present the first measurements of this prototype showing that it is now possible to perform imaging and spectro-polarimetry of hard X-ray sources.

Citation Download Citation

S. Fabiani, R. Bellazzini, F. Berrilli, A. Brez, E. Costa, M. Minuti, F. Muleri, M. Pinchera, A. Rubini, P. Soffitta, and G. Spandre "Performance of an Ar-DME imaging photoelectric polarimeter", Proc. SPIE 8443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 84431C (17 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925374

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