The coded mask of the ECLAIRs telescope onboard the SVOM space mission

TL;DR

ECLAIRs is a space-based coded-mask telescope operating in 4-150 keV, featuring a novel self-supporting mask to enhance sensitivity and mechanical stability for detecting high-energy transients.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new self-supporting coded mask design and development process for the ECLAIRs telescope, extending imaging capabilities to lower X-ray energies.

Findings

Achieved sensitivity down to 4 keV with maintained performance up to 150 keV.

Developed a novel stiffened sandwich structure for the coded mask.

Implemented pattern-generation algorithms to address scientific and mechanical challenges.

Abstract

ECLAIRs is a hard X-ray coded-mask telescope onboard the SVOM space mission, designed to detect and localize high-energy transients, in particular gamma-ray bursts. Operating over the 4-150 keV energy range, ECLAIRs extends coded-mask imaging to an unusually low-energy threshold. Achieving sensitivity down to 4 keV while maintaining performance up to 150 keV motivated the development of a novel self-supporting coded mask. This design addresses both scientific and mechanical challenges through dedicated pattern-generation algorithms and an innovative stiffened sandwich structure. We present the rationale, development, and final implementation of the ECLAIRs coded mask.