Lobster eye X-ray optics in the one dimensional (1D) arrangement has advantages in higher reflectivity, especially for higher energies, compared to classical two dimensional (2D) Schmidt’s arrangement. One dimensional optics can determine only one direction of the incoming beam. There is placed a strip in front of the optics for determining of the second direction. This strip is made of X-ray proof material which blocks the incoming beam and thus causes a gap in the line. Based on these facts, it is possible to determine the position of each point source which has enough signal to gap ratio. Unfortunately, the intensity of sources is not possible to assess by this method.
The thermal dependence of the semiconductor detector is one of the critical properties. This manuscript describes changes in the threshold scans, equalization and its verification for the particle counting pixel detector Timepix. The Timepix detector family has great potential for use not only in space, i.e. for small satellite (CubeSat) missions, but also in many other areas like medicine, material testing or particle colliders (i.e. Large Hadron Collider). In this case, several experiments were performed with the Timepix detector under the vacuum conditions as well as ambient conditions with the thermal stabilization at several temperatures in a range from -15oC to +80oC. This paper describes the early experimental results of the chip temperature dependence. The detector equalization and validity of the original equalization dependently on different temperatures is examined. The changes in the detector could cause the errors and shifts of the detection limit for low-energies.
The paper summarizes the Rocket EXperiment (REX) Lobster Eye (LE) X-ray Telescope payload results. The experiment was performed by the PennState University with X-ray spectroscope on board a Water Recovery X-Ray Rocket (WRXR) launched on 4th April, 2018. The secondary payload was the REX LE X-ray Telescope. The REX LE X-ray telescope consists of two X-ray telescopes with one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) optics, a visible-light camera and an IR grid-eye. The primary structure consists of a metal housing for the optics and a carbon fiber baffle with the Timepix sensors mounted at the end. The observation data from the experiment are briefly presented and discussed.
This paper presents a Lobster Eye (LE) X-ray telescope developed for the Water Recovery X-ray Rocket (WRX-R) experiment. The primary payload of the rocket experiment is a soft X-ray spectroscope developed by the Pennsylvania State University (PSU), USA. The Czech team participates by hard LE X-ray telescope as a secondary payload. The astrophysical objective of the rocket experiment is the Vela Supernova of size about 8deg x 8deg. In the center of the nebula is a neutron star with a strong magnetic field, roughly the mass of the Sun and a diameter of about 20 kilometers forming the Vela pulsar.
The primary objective of WRX-R is the spectral measurement of the outer part of the nebula in soft X-ray and FOV of 3.25deg x 3.25deg. The secondary objective (hard LE X-ray telescope) is the Vela neutron star observation. The hard LE telescope consists of two X-ray telescopes with the Timepix detector. First telescope uses 2D LE Schmidt optics (2DLE- REX) with focal length over 1m and 4 Timepix detectors (2x2 matrix). The telescope FOV is 1.5deg x 1.5deg with spectral range from 3keV to 60keV. The second telescope uses 1D LE Schmidt optics (1D-LE-REX) with focal length of 25 cm and one Timepix detector. The telescope is made as a wide field with FOV 4.5deg x 3.5deg and spectral range from 3keV to 40keV. The rocket experiment serves as a technology demonstration mission for the payloads. The LE X-ray telescopes can be in the future used as all‐sky monitor/surveyor. The astrophysical observation can cover the hard X-ray observation of astrophysical sources in time-domain, the GRBs surveying or the exploration of the gravitational wave sources.
In the field of astronomical X-ray telescopes, different types of optics based on grazing incidence mirrors can be used. This contribution describes the special design of a lobster-eye optics in Schmidt's arrangement, which uses dual reflection to increase the collecting area. The individual mirrors of this wide-field telescope are made of at silicon wafers coated with reflecting iridium layers. This iridium coatings have some advantages compared to more common gold layers as is shown in corresponding simulations. The iridium coating process for the X-ray mirrors was developed within a cooperation of the Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and the Czech Technical University in Prague. Different mirror parameters essential for a proper function of the X-ray optics, like the surface microroughness and the problematic of a good adhesion quality of the coatings were studied. After integration of the individual mirrors into the final lobster-eye optics and the corresponding space qualification testing it is planned to fly the telescope in a recently proposed NASA rocket experiment.
Wolter I optics are commonly used for imaging in X-Ray spectrum. This system uses two reflections, and at higher energies, this system is not so much efficient but has a very good optical resolution. Here is another type of optics Lobster Eye, which is using also two reflections for focusing rays in Schmidt's or Angel's arrangement. Here is also possible to use Lobster eye optics as two one dimensional independent optics. This paper describes advantages of one dimensional and two dimensional Lobster Eye optics in Schmidt's arrangement and its data processing - find out a number of sources in wide field of view. Two dimensional (2D) optics are suitable to detect the number of point X-ray sources and their magnitude, but it is necessary to expose for a long time because a 2D system has much lower transitivity, due to double reflection, compared to one dimensional (1D) optics. Not only for this reason, two 1D optics are better to use for lower magnitudes of sources. In this case, additional image processing is necessary to achieve a 2D image. This article describes of approach an image reconstruction and advantages of two 1D optics without significant losses of transitivity.
We report on our work of minimizing the microroughness of replicated grazing incidence X-ray optics. Ion beam and RF sputter cleaning was used as surface treatment and we compare its effects in the article. Vacuum deposition of smoothing layers was also used for minimizing the microroughness. The surfaces were measured by atomic force microscopy and X-ray reflectometry. Microroughness less than 0,5 nm RMS and Ra was achieved.
In the field of X-ray detection for Astrophysics there are mainly two objectives; first is to create 2D images as a result of sensing radiation by detectors consisting of a pixels matrix and the second is a spectral analysis of the incident radiation. For spectral analysis, the basis is usually the principle of diffraction. This paper describes the new design of X-ray spectrometer based on Timepix detector with optics positioned in front of it. The advantage of this setup is the ability to get the image and spectrum from the same devices. With other modifications is possible to shift detection threshold into areas of soft X-ray radiation.
CubeSats are a good opportunity to test new technologies and materials on orbit. These innovations can be later used for improving of properties and life length of Cubesat or other satellites as well. VZLUSAT-1 is a small satellite from the CubeSat family, which will carry a wide scale of payloads with different purposes. The poster is focused on measuring of degradation and properties measurement of new radiation hardened composite material in orbit due to space environment. Material properties changes can be studied by many methods and in many disciplines. One payload measures mechanical changes in dependence on Young's modulus of elasticity which is got from non-destructive testing by mechanical vibrations. The natural frequencies we get using Fast Fourier Transform. The material is tested also by several thermometers which measure heat distribution through the composite, as well as reflectivity in dependence on different coatings. The satellite also will measure the material radiation shielding properties. There are PIN diodes which measure the relative shielding efficiency of composite and how it will change in time in space environment. Last one of material space testing is measurement of outgassing from tested composite material. It could be very dangerous for other parts of satellite, like detectors, when anything was outgassing, for example water steam. There are several humidity sensors which are sensitive to steam and other gases and measures temperatures as well.
The CubeSat mission with the demonstrator of miniaturized X-ray telescope is presented. The paper presents one of the mission objectives of using the instrument for remote sensing of the Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs). TGFs are intense sources of gamma-rays associated with lightning bolt activity and tropical thunderstorms. The measurement of TGFs exists and was measured by sounding rockets, high altitude balloons or several satellite missions. Past satellite missions were equipped with different detectors working from 10 keV up to 10 MeV. The RHESSI mission spectrum measurement of TGFs shows the maximum counts per second around 75 keV. The used detectors were in general big in volume and cannot be utilized by the CubeSat mission. The presented CubeSat is equipped with miniaturized X-ray telescope using the Timepix non-cooled pixel detector. The detector works between 3 and 60 keV in counting mode (dosimetry) or in spectrum mode with resolution 5 keV. The wide-field X-ray "Lobster-eye" optics/collimator (depending on energy) is used with a view angle of 3 degrees for the source location definition. The UV detectors with FOV 30 degrees and 1.5 degrees are added parallel with the optic as a part of the telescope. The telescope is equipped with software distinguishing between the photons and other particles. Using this software the TGF's detection is possible also in the field of South Atlantic anomaly. For the total ionization dose, the additional detector is used based on Silicone (12-60 keV) and CdTe (20 keV - 1 MeV). The presented instruments are the demonstrators suitable also for the astrophysical, sun and moon observation. The paper shows the details of TGF's observation modes, detectors details, data processing and handling system and mission. The CubeSat launch is planned to summer 2016.
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