X-Ray Polarimetry

TL;DR

This paper reviews the principles and recent technological advances in X-ray polarimetry, highlighting new detector technologies and their potential scientific applications across different X-ray energy bands.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent detector innovations and their implications for future X-ray polarimetry missions.

Findings

High-resolution gas-filled detectors enable efficient photoelectric effect polarimeters.

Multilayer optics fabrication advances allow broad-band soft X-ray polarimeters.

Developments in scintillator and solid-state detectors support large-area and compact polarimeters.

Abstract

We review the basic principles of X-ray polarimetry and current detector technologies based on the photoelectric effect, Bragg reflection, and Compton scattering. Recent technological advances in high-spatial-resolution gas-filled X-ray detectors have enabled efficient polarimeters exploiting the photoelectric effect that hold great scientific promise for X-ray polarimetry in the 2-10 keV band. Advances in the fabrication of multilayer optics have made feasible the construction of broad-band soft X-ray polarimeters based on Bragg reflection. Developments in scintillator and solid-state hard X-ray detectors facilitate construction of both modular, large area Compton scattering polarimeters and compact devices suitable for use with focusing X-ray telescopes.