Instruments of RT-2 Experiment onboard CORONAS-PHOTON and their test and evaluation III: Coded Aperture Mask and Fresnel Zone Plates in RT-2/CZT Payload

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the performance of coded aperture masks and Fresnel zone plates combined with solid-state detectors for high-resolution hard X-ray imaging of astrophysical sources, focusing on solar flare detection.

Contribution

It presents simulation and experimental results for different shadow-caster and detector combinations in the RT-2/CZT payload, demonstrating their imaging capabilities.

Findings

Effective detection of transient solar flares with high angular resolution.

Simulation results align with laboratory experiments, validating the design.

Different combinations offer varied imaging performance.

Abstract

Imaging in hard X-rays of any astrophysical source with high angular resolution is a challenging job. Shadow-casting technique is one of the most viable options for imaging in hard X-rays. We have used two different types of shadow-casters, namely, Coded Aperture Mask (CAM) and Fresnel Zone Plate (FZP) pair and two types of pixellated solid-state detectors, namely, CZT and CMOS in RT-2/CZT payload, the hard X-ray imaging instrument onboard the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite. In this paper, we present the results of simulations with different combinations of coders (CAM & FZP) and detectors that are employed in the RT-2/CZT payload. We discuss the possibility of detecting transient Solar flares with good angular resolution for various combinations. Simulated results are compared with laboratory experiments to verify the consistency of the designed configuration.