Abstract
The Polarized Gamma-ray Observer - Lightweight Version (PoGOLite) is a new balloon experiment capable of detecting 10% polarization from a 200 mCrab source in the 25-80 keV energy range in a single 6-hour flight for the first time. Polarization measurements of hard X-rays and soft gamma-rays are expected to provide a powerful probe into high-energy emission mechanisms as well as source geometries. PoGOLite uses Compton scattering and photo-absorption to measure polarization in an array of 217 well-type phoswich detector cells made of plastic and BGO scintillators. The adoption of a well-type phoswich counter concept and a thick polyethylene neutron shield provides a narrow field-of-view (1.25 msr), a large effective area (≥ 250 cm2 at 40-50 keV), a high modulation factor (more than 25 %) and the low background (∼100 mCrab) required to conduct high-sensitivity polarization measurements. Through tests in laboratories and accelerator facilities of a scaled-down prototype with the front-end electronics of flight design and an extensive study by Monte-Carlo simulation, we have demonstrated high instrument performance. PoGOLite will be ready for a first engineering flight in 2009 and a science flight in 2010, during which polarization signals from the Crab Nebula/pulsar, Cygnus X-1 and other objects will be observed.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 2007 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS-MIC |
Pages | 2538-2544 |
Number of pages | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | 2007 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS-MIC - Honolulu, HI, United States Duration: 2007 Oct 27 → 2007 Nov 3 |
Publication series
Name | IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record |
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Volume | 4 |
ISSN (Print) | 1095-7863 |
Conference
Conference | 2007 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS-MIC |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Honolulu, HI |
Period | 07/10/27 → 07/11/3 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiation
- Nuclear and High Energy Physics
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging