ixpeobssim: a Simulation and Analysis Framework for the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer

TL;DR

ixpeobssim is a Python-based simulation and analysis framework tailored for IXPE, enabling realistic observation modeling and complex polarization analysis, with adaptability for other missions.

Contribution

It introduces a modular, Python-based framework for simulating and analyzing IXPE data, enhancing polarization studies and potential adaptation to other missions.

Findings

Produces realistic simulated observations in FITS format.

Supports complex, polarization-aware analysis pipelines.

Facilitates integration with existing X-ray analysis tools.

Abstract

ixpeobssim is a simulation and analysis framework, based on the Python programming language and the associated scientific ecosystem, specifically developed for the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). Given a source model and the response functions of the telescopes, it is designed to produce realistic simulated observations, in the form of event lists in FITS format, containing a strict super-set of the information provided by standard IXPE level-2 files. The core ixpeobssim simulation capabilities are complemented by a full suite of post-processing applications, allowing for the implementation of complex, polarization-aware analysis pipelines, and facilitating the inter-operation with the standard visualization and analysis tools traditionally in use by the X-ray community. We emphasize that, although a significant part of the framework is specific to IXPE, the modular nature of the underlying implementation makes it potentially straightforward to adapt it to different missions with polarization capabilities.