PolarLight is a space-borne X-ray polarimeter that measures the X-ray polarization via electron tracking in an ionization chamber.It is a collimated instrument and thus suffers from the background on the whole detecto...PolarLight is a space-borne X-ray polarimeter that measures the X-ray polarization via electron tracking in an ionization chamber.It is a collimated instrument and thus suffers from the background on the whole detector plane.The majority of background events are induced by high energy charged particles and show ionization morphologies distinct from those produced by X-rays of interest.Comparing on-source and off-source observations,we find that the two datasets display different distributions on image properties.The boundaries between the source and background distributions are obtained and can be used for background discrimination.Such a means can remove over 70%of the background events measured with PolarLight.This approaches the theoretical upper limit of the background fraction that is removable and justifies its effectiveness.For observations with the Crab nebula,the background contamination decreases from 25%to 8%after discrimination,indicative of a polarimetric sensitivity of around 0.2 Crab for PolarLight.This work also provides insights into future X-ray polarimetric telescopes.展开更多
In this paper we present the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP. eXTP is a space science mission designed to study fundamental physics under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism. The m...In this paper we present the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP. eXTP is a space science mission designed to study fundamental physics under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism. The mission aims at determining the equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear density, measuring effects of QED, and understanding the dynamics of matter in strong-field gravity. In addition to investigating fundamental physics, eXTP will be a very powerful observatory for astrophysics that will provide observations of unprecedented quality on a variety of galactic and extragalactic objects. In particular, its wide field monitoring capabilities will be highly instrumental to detect the electro-magnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources.The paper provides a detailed description of:(1) the technological and technical aspects, and the expected performance of the instruments of the scientific payload;(2) the elements and functions of the mission, from the spacecraft to the ground segment.展开更多
基金funding support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11633003,12025301 and 11821303)the CAS Strategic Priority Program on Space Science(Grant No.XDA15020501-02)the National Key R&D Project(Grant Nos.2018YFA0404502 and 2016YFA040080X)。
文摘PolarLight is a space-borne X-ray polarimeter that measures the X-ray polarization via electron tracking in an ionization chamber.It is a collimated instrument and thus suffers from the background on the whole detector plane.The majority of background events are induced by high energy charged particles and show ionization morphologies distinct from those produced by X-rays of interest.Comparing on-source and off-source observations,we find that the two datasets display different distributions on image properties.The boundaries between the source and background distributions are obtained and can be used for background discrimination.Such a means can remove over 70%of the background events measured with PolarLight.This approaches the theoretical upper limit of the background fraction that is removable and justifies its effectiveness.For observations with the Crab nebula,the background contamination decreases from 25%to 8%after discrimination,indicative of a polarimetric sensitivity of around 0.2 Crab for PolarLight.This work also provides insights into future X-ray polarimetric telescopes.
基金support of the Chinese Academy of Sciences through the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA15020100)support by ASI, under the dedicated eXTP agreements and agreement ASI-INAF (Grant No. 2017-14-H.O.)+3 种基金by INAF and INFN under project REDSOXsupport from the Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, the German Aerospce Center (DLR)support of Science Centre (Grant No. 2013/10/M/ST9/00729)support from MINECO (Grant No. ESP2017-82674-R) and FEDER funds
文摘In this paper we present the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP. eXTP is a space science mission designed to study fundamental physics under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism. The mission aims at determining the equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear density, measuring effects of QED, and understanding the dynamics of matter in strong-field gravity. In addition to investigating fundamental physics, eXTP will be a very powerful observatory for astrophysics that will provide observations of unprecedented quality on a variety of galactic and extragalactic objects. In particular, its wide field monitoring capabilities will be highly instrumental to detect the electro-magnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources.The paper provides a detailed description of:(1) the technological and technical aspects, and the expected performance of the instruments of the scientific payload;(2) the elements and functions of the mission, from the spacecraft to the ground segment.
