An imaging x-ray polarimeter for the study of galactic and extragalactic x-ray sources

Martin C. Weisskopf, Ronaldo Bellazzini, Enrico Costa, Brian D. Ramsey, Stephen L. O'Dell, Ronald F. Elsner, Allyn F. Tennant, George G. Pavlov, Giorgio Matt, Victoria M. Kaspi, Paolo S. Coppi, Kinwah Wu, Oswald H.W. Siegmund, Vyacheslav E. Zavlin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Technical progress in X-ray optics and in polarization-sensitive X-ray detectors, which our groups pioneered, enables a scientifically powerful, dedicated space mission for imaging X-ray polarimetry. This mission is sufficiently sensitive to measure X-ray (linear) polarization for a broad range of cosmic sources-primarily those involving neutron stars, stellar black holes, and supermassive black holes (active galactic nuclei). We describe the technical basis, the mission concept, and the physical and astrophysical questions such a mission would address.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2008
Subtitle of host publicationUltraviolet to Gamma Ray
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9780819472212
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
EventSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2008: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray - Marseille, France
Duration: Jun 23 2008Jun 28 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7011
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2008: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityMarseille
Period6/23/086/28/08

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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