LOFT (Large Observatory For X-ray Timing): a candidate X-ray mission for the next decade

TL;DR

LOFT is a proposed ESA X-ray mission designed to study extreme astrophysical phenomena near black holes and neutron stars with high temporal and spectral resolution, aiming to advance understanding of strong gravity and dense matter.

Contribution

LOFT introduces a large-area detector and wide field monitor for unprecedented X-ray timing and spectral observations of compact objects and transient phenomena.

Findings

Designed to probe matter near black holes with high precision.

Capable of monitoring transient X-ray phenomena across a wide field.

Aims to significantly improve understanding of dense matter physics.

Abstract

LOFT is one of the four medium mission candidates (M3), selected by ESA in the framework of the Cosmic Vision Programme (2015-2025), for feasibility study. If approved by ESA in 2014, its launch is foreseen in 2022-2024. LOFT is being designed to observe X-ray sources with excellent temporal resolution and very good spectral capability. Its main objectives are to directly probe the motion of matter in the very close vicinity of black holes (Strong Field Gravity), as well as to study the physics of ultra dense matter (Neutron Stars). The payload includes a Large Area Detector (LAD) and a Wide Field Monitor (WFM). The LAD is a collimated (< 1 degree field of view) experiment operating in the energy range 2-30 keV, with a 10 m2 peak effective area and an energy resolution of 260 eV at 6 keV. The WFM will operate in almost the same energy range than the LAD, 2-50 keV, enabling simultaneous monitoring of a few-steradian wide field of view, with an angular resolution of < 5 arcmin. In addition to its main scientific objectives, LOFT will also do a complete plan of observatory science, studying with unprecedented detail in the 2-80 keV range several transient phenomena, like accreting white dwarfs in cataclysmic variables, novae in outburst (internal and external shocks in the ejecta in classical novae, and shocks with the wind of the companion in symbiotic recurrent novae) and post-outburst novae (once accretion is re established).