The Advanced X-ray Timing Array (AXTAR)
Deepto Chakrabarty (MIT), Paul S. Ray (NRL), Tod E. Strohmayer, (NASA/GSFC) (for the AXTAR Collaboration)

TL;DR
AXTAR is a proposed X-ray observatory designed for high-sensitivity, high-time-resolution observations of neutron stars and black holes, enabling new insights into ultradense matter and spacetime physics.
Contribution
It introduces a highly sensitive, large-area X-ray timing instrument with rapid response capabilities, surpassing previous missions like RXTE in sensitivity and timing precision.
Findings
Proposes a large-area Si pixel detector with 2-50 keV coverage.
Provides at least tenfold sensitivity improvement over RXTE.
Includes a sensitive sky monitor for transient detection.
Abstract
AXTAR is an X-ray observatory mission concept, currently under study in the U.S., that combines very large collecting area, broadband spectral coverage, high time resolution, highly flexible scheduling, and an ability to respond promptly to time-critical targets of opportunity. It is optimized for submillisecond timing of bright Galactic X-ray sources in order to study phenomena at the natural time scales of neutron star surfaces and black hole event horizons, thus probing the physics of ultradense matter, strongly curved spacetimes, and intense magnetic fields. AXTAR's main instrument is a collimated, thick Si pixel detector with 2-50 keV coverage and 8 square meters collecting area. For timing observations of accreting neutron stars and black holes, AXTAR provides at least an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity over both RXTE and Constellation-X. AXTAR also carries a…
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Taxonomy
TopicsMedical Imaging Techniques and Applications · Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research · Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
