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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