Optimization of the design of X-Calibur for a long-duration balloon flight and results from a one-day test flight

Fabian Kislat; Quin Abarr; Banafsheh Beheshtipour; Gianluigi De Geronimo; Paul Dowkontt; Jason Tang; Henric Krawczynski

doi:10.1117/1.JATIS.4.1.011004

19 March 2018 Optimization of the design of X-Calibur for a long-duration balloon flight and results from a one-day test flight

Fabian Kislat, Quin Abarr, Banafsheh Beheshtipour, Gianluigi De Geronimo, Paul Dowkontt, Jason Tang, Henric Krawczynski

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, Vol. 4, Issue 1, 011004 (March 2018). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.4.1.011004

Abstract

X-ray polarimetry promises exciting insights into the physics of compact astrophysical objects by providing two observables: the polarization fraction and angle as function of energy. X-Calibur is a balloon-borne hard x-ray scattering polarimeter for the 15- to 60-keV energy range. After the successful test flight in September 2016, the instrument is now being prepared for a long-duration balloon (LDB) flight in December 2018 through January 2019. During the LDB flight, X-Calibur will make detailed measurements of the polarization of Vela X-1 and constrain the polarization of a sample of between 4 and 9 additional sources. We describe the upgraded polarimeter design, including the use of a beryllium scattering element, lower-noise front-end electronics, and an improved fully active CsI(Na) anticoincidence shield, which will significantly increase the instrument sensitivity. We present estimates of the improved polarimeter performance based on simulations and laboratory measurements. We present some of the results from the 2016 flight and show that we solved several problems, which led to a reduced sensitivity during the 2016 flight. We end with a description of the planned Vela X-1 observations, including a Swift/BAT-guided observation strategy.

Citation Download Citation

Fabian Kislat, Quin Abarr, Banafsheh Beheshtipour, Gianluigi De Geronimo, Paul Dowkontt, Jason Tang, and Henric Krawczynski "Optimization of the design of X-Calibur for a long-duration balloon flight and results from a one-day test flight," Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems 4(1), 011004 (19 March 2018). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.4.1.011004

Received: 15 November 2017; Accepted: 19 February 2018; Published: 19 March 2018

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available