X-ray experiments for Space applications in intermediate energy range

TL;DR

This paper describes the development and testing of X-ray experimental setups in the 1-50 keV range at ICSP for space applications, focusing on imaging techniques and instrument evaluation for observing energetic cosmic phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive experimental setup with innovative imaging masks and spectrometers for space-based X-ray observations and instrument testing.

Findings

Successful testing of X-ray imaging techniques

Development of collimation and imaging masks

Validation of instruments for space missions

Abstract

X-ray experiments in the intermediate energy range (1-50 keV) are carried out at the Indian Centre for Space Physics (ICSP), Kolkata for space application. The purpose is to carry out developmental studies of space instruments to observe energetic phenomena from compact objects (black hole and compact stars) and active stars and their testing and evaluation. The testing/evaluation setup primarily consists of an X-ray generator, various X-ray imaging masks, an X-ray imager (CMOS) and an X-ray spectrometer (Si-PIN photo-diode). The X-ray generator (Mo target) operates in 1-50 kV anode voltage, and 1-30 mA beam current. A 45 feet long shielded collimator is used to collimate the beam which leads to the detector chamber having a 30 arc-sec angular diameter. Two types of imaging masks are used - conventional Coded Aperture Masks (CAM) and Tungsten Fresnel half-period zone-plates (ZPs) having angular resolutions of a few tens of arc-sec. The Moire fringe pattern produced by the composite shadows of two ZPs is inverse Fourier transformed to obtain the X-ray source distribution. CAMs are advantageous but the resolution obtained is limited by their smallest pixel size. Our setup has been extensively used in testing and evaluation of RT-2 payloads which have been launched recentlya (January 30, 2009). More experiments for improving imaging techniques are being designed and tested.