Simulation of a Laue lens with bent Ge(111) crystals

TL;DR

This paper simulates a Laue lens using bent Ge(111) crystals for focusing X-/gamma-rays between 80 keV and 600 keV, analyzing image distortion, efficiency, background, and sensitivity.

Contribution

It presents a detailed simulation of a Laue lens with bent Ge(111) crystals, including effects of misalignment and curvature on performance.

Findings

Image distortion due to misalignment and curvature analyzed

Detection efficiency and background estimated

Sensitivity of the Laue lens calculated

Abstract

In the context of Laue project for focusing hard X-/ soft gamma-rays, an entire Laue lens, using bent Ge(111) crystal tiles, with 40 meters curvature radius, is simulated with a focal length of 20 meters. The focusing energy band is between 80 keV and 600 keV. The distortion of the output image of the lens on the focal plane due to the effect of crystal tile misalignment as well as the radial distortion arising from the curvature of the crystal is discussed in detail. Expected detection efficiency and instrument background is also estimated. Finally the sensitivity of the Laue lens is calculated. A quantitative analysis of the results of these simulation is also presented.