The Large Observatory For X-ray Timing: LOFT

TL;DR

LOFT is a proposed space mission designed to study X-ray sources with unprecedented sensitivity and spectral resolution, aiming to advance understanding of gravity near black holes and the state of matter in neutron stars.

Contribution

It introduces a new space observatory concept with large effective area and high spectral resolution for X-ray astronomy, enhancing observational capabilities.

Findings

Unprecedented large effective area (~10 m2 at 8 keV)

Spectral resolution approaching CCD-based telescopes (down to 200 eV at 6 keV)

Potential to probe gravity and dense matter in extreme environments

Abstract

LOFT, the Large Observatory for X-ray Timing, is a new space mission concept devoted to observations of Galactic and extra-Galactic sources in the X-ray domain with the main goals of probing gravity theory in the very strong field environment of black holes and other compact objects, and investigating the state of matter at supra-nuclear densities in neutron stars. The instruments on-board LOFT, the Large area detector and the Wide Field Monitor combine for the first time an unprecedented large effective area (~10 m2 at 8 keV) sensitive to X-ray photons mainly in the 2-30 keV energy range and a spectral resolution approaching that of CCD-based telescopes (down to 200 eV at 6 keV). LOFT is currently competing for a launch of opportunity in 2022 together with the other M3 mission candidates of the ESA Cosmic Vision Program.