986 research outputs found
Research relative to high energy astrophysics
Various parameters which affect the design of the proposed large area modular array of reflectors (LAMAR) are considered, including thermal control, high resolution X-ray spectroscopy, pointing control, and mirror performance. The LAMAR instrument is to be a shuttle-launched X-ray observatory to carry out cosmic X-ray investigations. The capabilities of LAMAR are enumerated. Angular resolution performance of the mirror module prototype was measured to be 30 sec of ARC for 50% of the power. The LAMAR thermal pre-collimator design concepts and test configurations are discussed in detail
Research of advanced techniques for X-ray detectors and telescopes with applications to rockets and the LAMAR facility
A program for the development of high throughput instrumentation for X-ray astronomy based upon focusing optics is being carried out by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The instrumentation is applicable to investigations requiring large area focusing optics for direct imaging or dispersive spectroscopy. The long range goals of this program are the development of telescopes and gratings for future major X-ray astronomy facilities, including additions to the LAMAR OSS-2/SHEAL experiment after the initial flights. Tests of the devices and their more immediate utilization in scientific investigations can be carried out with SPARTAN payloads deployed and retrieved by the Space Shuttle. However, the present backlog of approved SPARTAN missions is longer than the three-year duration of the program described in this program. Laboratory studies and breadboarding of instrumentation are discussed
Study of mass flow distribution and chemical composition of comets from solar induced X-ray fluorescence
The expected performance of an X-ray detector as an instrument aboard a mission to a comet was evaluated. The functions of the detector are both nondispersive analysis of chemical composition and measurement of mass flow from the comet nucleus. Measurements are to be carried out at a distance from the comet. The approach distances considered are of the order of 1000 km and 100 km. A new type of X-ray detector, a proportional scintillation detector, is considered as an X-ray counter for nondispersive elemental analysis
Development of high throughput X-ray telescopes for X-ray imaging and dispersive spectrometers
During the past year the technical approach to the realization of a high throughput Kirkpatrick-Baez X-ray mirror became better defined in terms of construction methodology and factors which affect maximum size. More progress was made than anticipated in the area of automatic figure formation. However, effort to improve the resolution of float glass by simple techniques were not successful. Mirror development, spectroscopy, all sky telescope, and explorer concept studies are discussed
Reduction of background in an X-ray proportional counter
Proportional counter has increased sensitivity for high resolution X-ray surveys. It locates weak cosmic X-ray sources while reducing non-X-ray background
Compact source of soft X-rays
Sources of soft X-rays uses alpha particles to fluoresce light elements such as boron, carbon, and magnesium. X-ray wavelengths are varied by changing target. Technique supplies broad range of monoenergetic X-rays whose energy can be adjusted very easily
The LAMAR: A high throughput X-ray astronomy facility for a moderate cost mission
The performance of a large area modular array of reflectors (LAMAR) is considered in several hypothetical observations relevant to: (1) cosmology, the X-ray background, and large scale structure of the universe; (2) clusters of galaxies and their evolution; (3) quasars and other active galactic nuclei; (4) compact objects in our galaxy; (5) stellar coronae; and (6) energy input to the interstellar medium
Remote sensing X-ray spectrometer
Spectrometer measures chemical composition of lunar rocks by remote sensing from orbit and senses lunar X-rays produced by interaction of solar X-rays and elements on the lunar surface. Instrument features high sensitivity, data handling system that accumulates and prepares data for telemetry, and automatic calibration
Statistical J/psi production and open charm enhancement in Pb+Pb collisions at CERN SPS
Production of open and hidden charm hadrons in heavy ion collisions is
considered within the statistical coalescence model. Charmed quarks and
antiquarks are assumed to be created at the initial stage of the reaction and
their number is conserved during the evolution of the system. They are
distributed among open and hidden charm hadrons at the hadronization stage in
accordance with laws of statistical mechanics. The model is in excellent
agreement with the experimental data on J/psi production in lead-lead
collisions at CERN SPS and predicts strong enhancement of the open charm
multiplicity over the standard extrapolation from nucleon-nucleon to
nucleus-nucleus collisions. A possible mechanism of the charm enhancement is
proposed.Comment: Presented at 6th International Conference on Strange Quarks in
Matter, Frankfurt am Main, 2001. 4 pages, LaTeX, 1 PS-figur
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