MAX: a gamma-ray lens for nuclear astrophysics

Details MAX: a gamma-ray lens for nuclear astrophysics MAX: a gamma-ray lens for nuclear astrophysics

Feb 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004spie.5168..482v&link_type=abstract

Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy. Edited by Citterio, Oberto; O'Dell, Stephen L. Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 5

Physics

Optics

13

Scientific paper

The mission concept MAX is a space borne crystal diffraction telescope, featuring a broad-band Laue lens optimized for the observation of compact sources in two wide energy bands of high astrophysical relevance. For the first time in this domain, gamma-rays will be focused from the large collecting area of a crystal diffraction lens onto a very small detector volume. As a consequence, the background noise is extremely low, making possible unprecedented sensitivities. The primary scientific objective of MAX is the study of type Ia supernovae by measuring intensities, shifts and shapes of their nuclear gamma-ray lines. When finally understood and calibrated, these profoundly radioactive events will be crucial in measuring the size, shape, and age of the Universe. Observing the radioactivities from a substantial sample of supernovae and novae will significantly improve our understanding of explosive nucleosynthesis. Moreover, the sensitive gamma-ray line spectroscopy performed with MAX is expected to clarify the nature of galactic microquasars (e+e- annihilation radiation from the jets), neutrons stars and pulsars, X-ray Binaries, AGN, solar flares and, last but not least, gamma-ray afterglow from gamma-burst counterparts.

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