A Design and Feasibility Study for the Detector Assembly of the Experiment for X-ray Characterization and Timing (EXACT ) CubeSat Project.
Abstract
The Experiment for X-ray Characterization and Timing (EXACT) is intended to be a proof of concept for the use of inexpensive small satellite technology to fill the need for long term solar Hard X-Ray monitoring with co-observation as a high energy counterpart to existing solar X-ray monitoring satellites (e.g. GOES), as well as provide precise timing measurements of solar HXR's. EXACT is a three-axis-stabilized, 3U CubeSat that makes use of an existing University of Minnesota Aerospace Department designed Gamma Ray Burst sensor that is intended for studies in deep space navigation using Gamma-ray burst timing for relative ranging of spacecraft. The high timing resolution of the GRB sensor, as well as the heritage of the pulse-read-out circuitry, makes it a good candidate for use on EXACT if it can be shown to suit the energy range and resolution requirements in the HXR regime. The GRB detector design incorporates square scintillators of Thallium-doped Cesium Iodide (CsI(Tl)), each connected to one Avalanche Photodiode (APD) for read-out to a pulse processing board. This paper will detail the design of the current GRB detector, report the results of the laboratory evaluation of that design, and make recommendations for modifications to the current design in order to fulfill the instrumentation requirements of EXACT.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFMSH13A2283C
- Keywords:
-
- 2479 Solar radiation and cosmic ray effects;
- IONOSPHEREDE: 7509 Corona;
- SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMYDE: 7538 Solar irradiance;
- SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMYDE: 7554 X-rays;
- gamma rays;
- and neutrinos;
- SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY