Microsatellite gamma-ray spectroscopy experiment

摘要

Preliminary results from Gamma ray experiment installed on a micro-satellite, Techsat 1, are reported. The experiment is based on CdZnTe detectors coupled to custom designed CMOS electronics, which includes low noise charge sensitive preamplifiers, pulse shaping amplifiers and sampling circuits. It was realized as a mile stone towards a micro- satellite mounted Gamma ray space telescope. The experiment is a stand-alone spectroscopy system that measures the radiation inside the micro-satellite and transmits the spectra to ground station via the main satellite computer. The radiation level inside micro-satellites is expected to be significantly lower compared to that inside large satellites. Additional goal of the experiment is to test the CdZnTe detectors and the front-end electronics, implemented in a standard CMOS process, under space radiation environment. In particular, the degradation in performance will be monitored. The Techsat 1 micro-satellite has been designed and constructed at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The satellite is approximately 50 $MUL 50 $MUL 50 cm$+$MIN@3$/ cube with a total weight of about 50 kilograms. It was successfully launched in July 1998 to a 820 km orbit.