Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and Observations

We present an instrument design capable of measuring linear X-ray polarization over a broad-band using conventional spectroscopic optics. A set of multilayer-coated flats reflects the dispersed X-rays to the instrument detectors. The intensity variation with position angle is measured to determine t...

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Main Authors: Herman L. Marshall, Norbert S. Schulz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Czech Technical University in Prague 2014-12-01
Series:Acta Polytechnica CTU Proceedings
Online Access:https://ojs.cvut.cz/ojs/index.php/APP/article/view/2422
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author Herman L. Marshall
Norbert S. Schulz
author_facet Herman L. Marshall
Norbert S. Schulz
author_sort Herman L. Marshall
collection DOAJ
description We present an instrument design capable of measuring linear X-ray polarization over a broad-band using conventional spectroscopic optics. A set of multilayer-coated flats reflects the dispersed X-rays to the instrument detectors. The intensity variation with position angle is measured to determine three Stokes parameters: I, Q, and U - all as a function of energy. By laterally grading the multilayer optics and matching the dispersion of the gratings, one may take advantage of high multilayer reflectivities and achieve modulation factors >90% over the entire 0.2 to 0.8 keV band. This instrument could be used in a small suborbital mission or adapted for use in an orbiting satellite to complement measurements at high energies. We present progress on laboratory work to demonstrate the capabilities of key components.
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series Acta Polytechnica CTU Proceedings
spelling doaj-art-7c355fd964204cd2a6cd41cfa56ddcbf2025-08-20T03:56:59ZengCzech Technical University in PragueActa Polytechnica CTU Proceedings2336-53822014-12-011128829210.14311/APP.2014.01.02882234Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and ObservationsHerman L. Marshall0Norbert S. Schulz1MIT Kavli Institute, Cambridge, MA, USAMIT Kavli Institute, Cambridge, MA, USAWe present an instrument design capable of measuring linear X-ray polarization over a broad-band using conventional spectroscopic optics. A set of multilayer-coated flats reflects the dispersed X-rays to the instrument detectors. The intensity variation with position angle is measured to determine three Stokes parameters: I, Q, and U - all as a function of energy. By laterally grading the multilayer optics and matching the dispersion of the gratings, one may take advantage of high multilayer reflectivities and achieve modulation factors >90% over the entire 0.2 to 0.8 keV band. This instrument could be used in a small suborbital mission or adapted for use in an orbiting satellite to complement measurements at high energies. We present progress on laboratory work to demonstrate the capabilities of key components.https://ojs.cvut.cz/ojs/index.php/APP/article/view/2422
spellingShingle Herman L. Marshall
Norbert S. Schulz
Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and Observations
Acta Polytechnica CTU Proceedings
title Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and Observations
title_full Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and Observations
title_fullStr Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and Observations
title_full_unstemmed Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and Observations
title_short Soft X-Ray Polarimeter: Potential Instrumentation and Observations
title_sort soft x ray polarimeter potential instrumentation and observations
url https://ojs.cvut.cz/ojs/index.php/APP/article/view/2422
work_keys_str_mv AT hermanlmarshall softxraypolarimeterpotentialinstrumentationandobservations
AT norbertsschulz softxraypolarimeterpotentialinstrumentationandobservations