The Spectrometer Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) on Solar Orbiter

TL;DR

STIX is an instrument on Solar Orbiter that captures hard X-ray images and spectra of the Sun, enabling detailed study of solar flares and energetic particles with high resolution and innovative imaging techniques.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design, objectives, and initial observations of STIX, a novel hard X-ray imaging spectrometer on Solar Orbiter, enhancing solar flare diagnostics.

Findings

First observations of solar X-ray emissions by STIX.

High spectral resolution of 1 keV achieved.

Successful implementation of Fourier imaging technique.

Abstract

The Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) is one of the 10 instruments on-board the scientific payload of ESA's Solar Orbiter mission. STIX provides hard X-ray imaging spectroscopy in the 4-150~keV energy range, observing hard X-ray bremsstrahlung emission from the Sun. These observations provide diagnostics of the hottest thermal plasmas ($>$10~MK) and information on the non-thermal energetic electrons accelerated above 10~keV during solar flares. STIX has a spectral resolution of 1~keV, and employs the use of in-direct bi-grid Fourier imaging to spatially locate hard X-ray emission. Given that STIX provides critical information about accelerated electrons at the Sun through hard X-ray diagnostics, it is a powerful contribution to the Solar Orbiter suite and has a significant role to explore the dynamics of solar inputs to the heliosphere. This chapter describes the STIX instrument, its design, objectives, first observations and outlines the new perspectives STIX provides over the mission lifetime of Solar Orbiter.