X-ray polarimetry with the Polarization Spectroscopic Telescope Array (PolSTAR)
Authors
Henric S. Krawczynski, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Daniel Stern, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Fiona A. Harrison, California Institute of Technology
Fabian F. Kislat, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Anna Zajczyk, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Matthias Beilicke, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Janie Hoormann, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Qingzhen Guo, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Ryan Endsley, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Adam R. Ingram, Anton Pannekoek Instituut voor Sterrenkunde
Hiromasa Miyasaka, California Institute of Technology
Kristin K. Madsen, California Institute of Technology
Kim M. Aaron, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Rashied Amini, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Matthew G. Baring, Rice University
Banafsheh Beheshtipour, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Arash Bodaghee, Georgia College & State University
Jeffrey Booth, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Chester Borden, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Markus Böttcher, North-West University
Finn E. Christensen, Technical University of Denmark
Paolo S. Coppi, Yale University
Ramanath Cowsik, Washington University in St. Louis, McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences
Shane Davis, University of Virginia
Jason Dexter, MPI for Extraterrestrial Physics
Chris Done, Durham University
Luis A. Dominguez, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Don Ellison, NC State University
Robin J. English, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Andrew C. Fabian, Institute of Astronomy
Abe Falcone, Pennsylvania State University
Jeffrey A. Favretto, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Rodrigo Fernández, University of California, Berkeley
Publication Date
2-15-2016
Publication Title
Astroparticle Physics
Description
This paper describes the Polarization Spectroscopic Telescope Array (PolSTAR), a mission proposed to NASA's 2014 Small Explorer (SMEX) announcement of opportunity. PolSTAR measures the linear polarization of 3-50 keV (requirement; goal: 2.5-70 keV) X-rays probing the behavior of matter, radiation and the very fabric of spacetime under the extreme conditions close to the event horizons of black holes, as well as in and around magnetars and neutron stars. The PolSTAR design is based on the technology developed for the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission launched in June 2012. In particular, it uses the same X-ray optics, extendable telescope boom, optical bench, and CdZnTe detectors as NuSTAR. The mission has the sensitivity to measure ∼1% linear polarization fractions for X-ray sources with fluxes down to ∼5 mCrab. This paper describes the PolSTAR design as well as the science drivers and the potential science return.
DOI
10.1016/j.astropartphys.2015.10.009
Recommended Citation
Krawczynski, . (2016-02-15). X-ray polarimetry with the Polarization Spectroscopic Telescope Array (PolSTAR). Astroparticle Physics, 75(), 8-28.
