An examination of the sensitivity and systematic error of the NASA GEMS Bragg Reflection Polarimeter using Monte-Carlo simulations

Ryan Allured; Takashi Okajima; Regina Soufli; Mónica Fernández-Perea; Ryan O. Daly; Hannah Marlowe; Scott T. Griffiths; Michael J. Pivovaroff; Philip Kaaret

doi:10.1117/12.930065

19 October 2012 An examination of the sensitivity and systematic error of the NASA GEMS Bragg Reflection Polarimeter using Monte-Carlo simulations

Ryan Allured, Takashi Okajima, Regina Soufli, Mónica Fernández-Perea, Ryan O. Daly, Hannah Marlowe, Scott T. Griffiths, Michael J. Pivovaroff, Philip Kaaret

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8487, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XV; 848703 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930065
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Bragg Reflection Polarimeter (BRP) on the NASA Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer Mission is designed to measure the linear polarization of astrophysical sources in a narrow band centered at about 500 eV. X-rays are focused by Wolter I mirrors through a 4.5 m focal length to a time projection chamber (TPC) polarimeter, sensitive between 2{10 keV. In this optical path lies the BRP multilayer reflector at a nominal 45 degree incidence angle. The reflector reflects soft X-rays to the BRP detector and transmits hard X-rays to the TPC. As the spacecraft rotates about the optical axis, the reflected count rate will vary depending on the polarization of the incident beam. However, false polarization signals may be produced due to misalignments and spacecraft pointing wobble. Monte-Carlo simulations have been carried out, showing that the false modulation is below the statistical uncertainties for the expected focal plane offsets of <~ 2 mm.

Citation Download Citation

Ryan Allured, Takashi Okajima, Regina Soufli, Mónica Fernández-Perea, Ryan O. Daly, Hannah Marlowe, Scott T. Griffiths, Michael J. Pivovaroff, and Philip Kaaret "An examination of the sensitivity and systematic error of the NASA GEMS Bragg Reflection Polarimeter using Monte-Carlo simulations", Proc. SPIE 8487, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XV, 848703 (19 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930065

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

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
11 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Modulation

Polarization

Polarimetry

Space operations

Reflectors

Sensors

Monte Carlo methods

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years