Dual-purpose camera for terrestrial x- and gamma-ray observations

摘要

Abstract: This paper describes the x-ray camera for the Atmospheric X- ray Observatory (AXO) proposed for the Danish Small Satellite Program, which is under evaluation for the next mission in 2003. AXO is aimed at localizing the origin of the Terrestrial Gamma Flashes (TGF) that have been observed with BATSE. An additional objective is a detailed mapping of the auroral x-ray and optical emission. The x-ray camera to be used must be capable of detecting quite weak and pointlike, short-duration emission from TGF, and also to handle with the rather intense and extended radiation from auroral activity. The x-ray energy range is 5-200 keV and the angular resolution about 2 degrees. The requested satellite orbit is polar with an altitude of 500 km so that the phenomena can be seen from a close range. The design of a coded mask camera matching these requirements is discussed in terms of energy and angular resolution, sensitivity, count rates, and time resolution. Detailed simulations of the camera imaging capabilities are presented. !10