Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jun 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006spd....37.0607b&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, SPD meeting #37, #6.07; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.226
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
We present the current status of the gamma-ray polarimetry experiment (GRAPE) project to measure linear polarization in solar flares in the hard X-ray range (50-300 keV). Polarimetry measurements offer a new way to measure the extent to which energetic electrons in flares are beamed, which has important implications for particle acceleration models. Each GRAPE detector consists of an array of plastic scintillators and high-Z calorimeter crystals read out by a single multi-anode photomultiplier tube (MAPMT). X-ray photons Compton scatter in the plastic elements and are subsequently absorbed in the calorimeter elements, and the azimuthal scattering angle and total energy are recorded. The degree of asymmetry in the distribution of scatter angles reveals the degree of linear polarization in the incident X-rays. We present our latest laboratory test results and describe plans for a balloon flight of a prototype and for a full balloon-borne science payload. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that an array of 25 GRAPE detectors carried on a scientific balloon would be sensitive to polarization levels of 5% or less for a M5 flare in a 5 minute exposure.
Bloser Peter F.
Legere Jason S.
Macri John R.
McConnell Mark L.
Narita Taku
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