Development and performance of a position sensitive proportion counter for the rosat project

A multiwire proportional counter capable of imaging soft X-rays has been constructed. The position of an incident photon is obtained by measuring the induced charge signals on two orthogonal sets of cathode wire grids. The anode signal is used as trigger and energy signal. At a photon energy of 0.94 keV the achieved position resolution is 300 μm (FWHM), and the energy resolution is 45% (FWHM). With a five sided anticoincidence the background rejection efficiency is 90–95%.A small version of the counter has successfully been flown twice on sounding rocket payloads. X-ray images of the supernova remnants Puppis A and Cassiopeia A have been taken. As the prime focal plane detector for the ROSAT project we are building a version with an aperture of 80 mm.     

FY-2C卫星太阳X射线探测器性能定标

通过具体的实验对FY-2C太阳X射线探测器进行了详细的定标.太阳X射线探测器的传感器采用充Ar气的正比计数器.主要探测能量大于4 KeV的太阳X射线流量.在坪特性、效率、正比性、能道划分、能量分辨率和时间分辨率等6个方面详细介绍了定标的方法及结果.定标结果表明,FY-2C卫星的太阳X射线探测器在各个方面都具有很好的性能.最后对FY-2C的在轨探测数据与GOES卫星进行了比较.GOES卫星的太阳X射线传感器采用电离室.FY-2C的探测结果与GOES的探测结果非常吻合.结果表明,FY-2C太阳X射线探测器可以很好地监测太阳X射线的流量变化,为空间环境监测提供有效的服务.      

X-ray imaging techniques— modulation collimator and coded mask

Imaging over the hard X-ray energy band may be achieved by masking the flux with proper obstacles. The imaging modulation collimator has been developed and has been applied thus far, e.g., to produce hard X-ray pictures of the solar flare and to construct the X-ray image of the Crab Nebula up to the angular resolution of ～ 10 arcsec. Variations of the concept such as the Fourier Transform Telescope are discussed. Virtue of the modulation collimator is that high angular resolution may be achieved with a relatively simple detector system and that a wide field of view may be accomodated. Among several proposed coded masks, the techniques of Hadamard transform are discussed in some details. The coded mask is provided with a better total transmission, but its angular resolution is limited due to presently limited spatial resolution of the detector. Developments of the technique of the position sensitive detector are awaited for further improvements of the resolution.     

A two-dimensional position-sensitive spectroscopic proportional counter for balloon-borne hard X-ray astronomy

A new design of position sensitive spectroscopic proportional counter is described, for use in a balloon borne hard x-ray telescope. Initial position and spectral resolution data from a one-dimensional laboratory prototype are reported. With this device, the final telescope will have an angular resolution of better than 10 minutes of arc.     

Optimisation of X-ray proportional counters for Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM) on ASTROSAT

The Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM) on ASTROSAT is a position-sensitive gas-filled proportional counter with a wide field of view. The scientific objective of SSM is to scan the sky within few hours to detect and locate transient X-ray sources in the outburst phase. Once detected, this information will be provided for studies in all energy bands. The energy range of operation of SSM is 2–10 keV. The optimisation of the parameters of the proportional counter such as the cell size, the gas mixture and the gas pressure for the SSM are discussed here.     

The exosat mission

Exosat, the European X-ray Observatory, was placed in orbit on 26 May 1983. The spacecraft, stabilized axes in three to a few arc second, carries four instruments, two one-metre focal length imaging telescopes, a large area proportional counter array and a gas scintillation proportional counter spectrometer. The salient features of the instrumentation, the sensitivities achieved in orbit and the status after the first year of orbital operation are described. Three specific observations, VO332+53, SCO X–1 and M.83 are discussed to demonstrate the power of the EXOSAT instrumentation and the operational flexibility of the spacecraft and ground system.     

The Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM) on ASTROSAT

The Scanning Sky Monitor is one of the experiments onboard the ASTROSAT, an Indian multiwavelength astronomy satellite mission. This experiment will detect and monitor X-ray transients in the energy band 2–10 keV. It is similar in design to the ASM on RXTE. It consists of position-sensitive proportional counters with one-dimensional mask. We describe the configuration of the experiment. We also discuss some of the results obtained using a detector which has already been fabricated and tested in our laboratory.     

An imaging gas scintillation proportional counter coupled to a channel multiplier array for application in cosmic X-ray spectroscopy

The development of an imaging gas scintillation proportional counter which utilises a channel multiplier array as the readout element is discussed. Preliminary experimental results and theoretical considerations indicate that spatial and energy resolutions of below 500 μm and 8% respectively should be achievable at an X-ray energy of 6 keV.     

The tenma mission

Tenma, the second X-ray astronomy satellite of Japan launched in February 1983, is outlined. The main instrument of Tenma is a large-area gas scintillation proportional counter array. Some of the highlights of the results thus far obtained are briefly discussed.     

Recent space shuttle observations of the South Atlantic Anomaly and the radiation belt models.

Active instruments consisting of a tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) and a proton and heavy ion detector (PHIDE) have been carried on a number of Space Shuttle flights. These instruments have allowed us to map out parts of the South Atlantic Particle Anomaly (SAA) and to compare some of its features with predictions of the AP-8 energetic proton flux models. We have observed that consistent with the generally observed westward drift of the surface features of the terrestrial magnetic field the SAA has moved west by about 6.9 degrees longitude between the epoch year 1970 of the AP-8 solar maximum model and the Space Shuttle observations made twenty years later. However, calculations indicate that except for relatively brief periods following very large magnetic storms the SAA seems to occupy the same position in L-space as in 1970. After the great storm of 24 March 1991 reconfiguration of the inner radiation belt and/or proton injection into the inner belt, a second energetic proton belt was observed to form at L approximately = 2. As confirmed by a subsequent flight observations, this belt was shown to persist at least for six months. Our measurements also indicate an upward shift in the L location of the primary belt from L = 1.4 to L = 1.5. In addition we confirm through direct real time observations the existence and the approximate magnitude of the East-West effect.     

The X-ray spectrometer experiment on the first spacelab flight

The First Spacelab Flight - scheduled for September 1983 - will carry a multidisciplinary payload intended to demonstrate that valuable scientific results can be achieved with such short duration missions. The payload complement includes a spectrometer to undertake observations of the brighter cosmic X-ray sources. The primary scientific objectives of this experiment are the study of detailed spectral features in cosmic X-ray sources and their associated temporal variations over a wide energy range from about 2 keV up to 80 keV. The instrument based on the gas scintillation proportional counter, will have an effective area of some 180 cm² with an energy resolution of ～ 9% FWHM at 7 keV. The key performance parameters of the instrument, which include calibration results and the sensitivity of the planned observations, are discussed.     

基于虚拟观测值的X射线单脉冲星星光组合导航

传统的X射线脉冲星导航系统需要同时观测3~4颗脉冲星,有效载荷的质量和功耗极大。因此,单探测器脉冲星导航技术是实现航天器利用X射线脉冲星导航的关键举措。针对单探测器脉冲星导航的可观测性弱和精度低等问题提出了基于虚拟观测值的X射线单脉冲星与星光集中式组合滤波的高精度导航方法,即在X射线脉冲星的长周期内增加与星光同时刻观测的虚拟观测值,以实现高精度的集中式组合滤波算法。同时提出了利用神经网络预测虚拟观测值方法,并与利用动力学递推的方法进行比较,精度可以达到10-7量级。仿真结果表明,该方法可大大提高单探测器的导航的可靠性,补偿由于探测器误差造成的导航误差,导航位置误差为259.79 m,同时有效地减小了导航系统的重量,为X射线脉冲星导航的工程实现提供了参考依据。      

The SIGMA mission

SIGMA, a hard X-ray/medium energy gamma ray (30 keV-2 MeV) imaging experiment, is being designed and constructed to attain an angular resolution of the order of 1 arcminute, and a sensitivity of several milliCrabs. The instrument uses a position sensitive detector of the Anger camera variety, and a two dimensional coded mask. The results of the instrument definition study are presented; a flight model will be constructed for a late 1987 launch.     

基于脉冲星和紫外敏感器的自主定轨定姿授时研究

为提高深空探测器的自主导航能力, 利用脉冲星导航的脉冲到达时间和脉冲星 角位置测量值、紫外敏感器中心天体质心相对于探测器的方向矢量和距离测量 值以及紫外敏感器输出的航天器姿态角, 以探测器在惯性坐标系下的位置和速度、 探测器本体坐标系相对于惯性坐标系的姿态角、星载时钟钟差为系统状态变量, 通过联邦扩展卡尔曼滤波器估计组合导航系统的系统状态, 并利用火星环绕段 轨道数据进行仿真实验. 仿真结果表明, 该组合导航方法能够使火星轨道器 在环绕段飞行中同时进行定轨、定姿和授时, 且具有较高的导航精度和授时能力.      

A proportional counter/image intensifier system for the detection of low energy X-rays

Proportional counters (PC's) and gas scintillation proportional counters (GSPC's) currently used for detection of low energy X-rays provide information on event position and energy. Although at 1.5 keV PC's have good position resolution (～ 200 μm FWHM) they have relatively poor energy resolution (～ 40% FWHM). Conversely GSPC's have reasonable energy resolution (～ 20% FWHM), but poor spatial resolution (～ 1mm FWHM).We describe a scheme in which a parallel plate PC with a transparent anode deposited on a fibre optic substrate has been used. This allows the light emitted by electron avalanches caused by X-ray events in the PC to be detected by an image intensifier with electronic readout. Using this scheme spatial resolution better than that of conventional PC's should be attainable. In addition avalanches induced by single electrons can be resolved through observation of the time structure of the light flash. Using the ability to count the number of primary electrons created by each X-ray event, it is shown that energy resolution can be achieved which is comparable to that of the GSPC.     

Relativistic astrophysics explorer

The great success of the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) has shown that X-ray timing is an excellent tool for the study of strong gravitational fields and the measurement of fundamental physical properties of black holes and neutron stars. Here, we describe a next-generation X-ray timing mission, the Relativistic Astrophysics Explorer (RAE), designed to fit within the envelope of a medium-sized mission. The instruments will be a narrow-field X-ray detector array with an area of 6 m² equal to 10 times that of RXTE and a wide-field X-ray monitor. We describe the science made possible with this mission, the design of the instruments, and results on prototype large-area X-ray detectors.     

Validation of the new trapped environment AE9/AP9/SPM at low Earth orbit

The completion of the international space station (ISS) in 2011 has provided the space research community an ideal proving ground for future long duration human activities in space. Ionizing radiation measurements in ISS form the ideal tool for the validation of radiation environmental models, nuclear transport codes and nuclear reaction cross sections. Indeed, prior measurements on the space transportation system (STS; shuttle) provided vital information impacting both the environmental models and the nuclear transport code developments by indicating the need for an improved dynamic model of the low Earth orbit (LEO) trapped environment. Additional studies using thermo-luminescent detector (TLD), tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) area monitors, and computer aided design (CAD) model of earlier ISS configurations, confirmed STS observations that, as input, computational dosimetry requires an environmental model with dynamic and directional (anisotropic) behavior, as well as an accurate six degree of freedom (DOF) definition of the vehicle attitude and orientation along the orbit of ISS.     

Energy spectra of non-pulsating low mass X-ray binaries

Detailed analyses of data obtained with gas scintillation proportional counter on Tenma huave been done for four low mass X-ray binaries (LMXB's); that is, Sco X-1, 4U1608-52, GX 349+2, and GX 5-1. This paper presents a new scenario concerning the spectra of LMXB's based on the observational fact from Tenma. The energy spectra of these sources can be expressed by a sum of two spectral components; that is, a hard component with a blackbody of temperature, kT ? 2 keV and soft component with a multi-color blackbody of maximum temperature kT ? 1.4 keV which is expected from the optically thick accretion disk.     

Hard X-Ray Modulation Telescope(HXMT) Mission

The HXMT mission concept consists of a slat-collimated hard X-ray detector assembly sensitive in 20～250 keV with a collection area of about 5000 cm2. Based on the reconstruction technique by direct demodulation developed in recent years, HXMT is mainly devoted to performing a hard X-ray all-sky imaging survey with both high sensitivity and high spatial resolution. It can also be used to make pointed observations of X-ray sources to study their spectroscopic and temporal properties in details. The main detector of HXMT consists of 18 individual cylindrical NaI(T1)/CsI(Na) phoswich modules, each with anarea of 283.5 cm2 and a field of view of 5.7°× 1.1° (FWHM). Its spatial resolution and position accuracy are 5′ and 1′ by using the direct demodulation in 1994, and in 2000 its feasibility and technical demonstration study was selected as a project under the Major State Basic Research Program of China. In October 2005, this project entered the full design phase and was listed as a candidate for the first dedicated astronomy satellite around 2010. We are now also considering secondary low energy instruments for this satellite.     

基于X射线脉冲星的导航卫星自主导航

基于星间链路的导航星座自主导航,存在星座整体旋转误差随时间累积问题,致使星座难于长时间自主运行。X射线脉冲星导航为星座整体旋转问题提供了一种新的解决途径:在导航卫星上安装X射线探测器,探测脉冲星辐射的X射线光子,整合脉冲轮廓和提取影像信息,星载时钟记录脉冲到达时间,经过星载计算机处理得到卫星位置、速度、时间和姿态等导航参数;脉冲星辐射的X射线信号为导航卫星提供了绝对时空基准,不存在星座整体旋转问题。在简要论述基于X射线脉冲星的导航卫星自主导航的基本概念、系统组成和几何原理的基础上,重点研究了导航卫星轨道确定与时间同步的自适应卡尔曼滤波算法,并通过数值分析试验,初步论证利用X射线脉冲星解决自主导航星座整体旋转问题的可行性和合理性。