Photoemission polarimeter in soft x-ray astronomy

George W. Fraser; John Ernest Lees; James F. Pearson; Mark R. Sims; J. E. Spragg; Richard Willingale

doi:10.1117/12.55679

1 August 1990 Photoemission polarimeter in soft x-ray astronomy

George W. Fraser, John Ernest Lees, James F. Pearson, Mark R. Sims, J. E. Spragg, Richard Willingale

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 29, Issue 8, (August 1990). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.55679

Abstract

Measurements in our laboratory have recently shown that the pulse quantum yield (counts/photon) of Csl x-ray photocathodes, measured near grazing incidence, depends on the linear polarization state of the incident beam. These results have implications both for the fundamental understanding ofthe x-ray photoeffect and, since Csl is well known as a cathode material of high (unpolarized) quantum efficiency in the 0.1 to 1.0 keV band, for the development of high-throughput astronomical x-ray polarimetry. This paper, concentrating on the latter topic, describes the practical accommodation of a photoemission polarimeter at (or near) the focus of a satellite x-ray telescope. Problems of device format, instrumental polarization, and data compression are discussed with reference to the Composite X-ray Polarimeter recently proposed for the European Space Agency High Throughput Spectroscopy mission (XMM). Examples of the sensitivity of this instrument are given. In the second part of the paper, some recent laboratory measurements are presented. These concern the variation in the number of x-ray photoelectrons with the polarimetric azimuth of a Csl cathode.

Citation Download Citation

George W. Fraser, John Ernest Lees, James F. Pearson, Mark R. Sims, J. E. Spragg, and Richard Willingale "Photoemission polarimeter in soft x-ray astronomy," Optical Engineering 29(8), (1 August 1990). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.55679

Published: 1 August 1990

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