Evidence for micrometeoroid damage in the pn-CCD camera system aboard XMM-Newton
Abstract
The mirror systems of the X-ray observatory XMM-Newton were designed to image X-rays up to 15 keV by grazing incidence reflection onto a focal plane, equipped with Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs). In orbit # 156 we have observed a sudden increase of about 35 ``bright'' pixels spread over 15 cm2 in the pn-CCD camera system. The amount of locally generated leakage current cannot be explained by ionizing particles. We suggest that a micrometeoroid scattered under a small angle off the X-ray telescope mirror surface finally reached the focal plane detector and produced the damage.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- August 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20010916
- Bibcode:
- 2001A&A...375L...5S
- Keywords:
-
- XMM-NEWTON;
- BACK ILLUMINATED PN-CCDS;
- RADIATION HARDNESS;
- MICROMETEOROIDS;
- INTERSTELLAR DUST