Salvatore Giarrusso

XIPE: the X-ray imaging polarimetry explorer

Abstract X-ray polarimetry, sometimes alone, and sometimes coupled to spectral and temporal variability measurements and to imaging, allows a wealth of physical phenomena in astrophysics to be studied. X-ray polarimetry investigates the acceleration process, for example, including those typical of magnetic reconnection in solar flares, but also emission in the strong magnetic fields of neutron stars and white dwarfs. It detects scattering in asymmetric structures such as accretion disks and columns, and in the so-called molecular torus and ionization cones. In addition, it allows fundamental physics in regimes of gravity and of magnetic field intensity not accessible to experiments on the Earth to be probed. Finally, models that describe fundamental interactions (e.g. quantum gravity and the extension of the Standard Model) can be tested. We describe in this paper the X-ray Imaging Polarimetry Explorer (XIPE), proposed in June 2012 to the first ESA call for a small mission with a launch in 2017. The proposal was, unfortunately, not selected. To be compliant with this schedule, we designed the payload mostly with existing items. The XIPE proposal takes advantage of the completed phase A of POLARIX for an ASI small mission program that was cancelled, but is different in many aspects: the detectors, the presence of a solar flare polarimeter and photometer and the use of a light platform derived by a mass production for a cluster of satellites. XIPE is composed of two out of the three existing JET-X telescopes with two Gas Pixel Detectors (GPD) filled with a He-DME mixture at their focus. Two additional GPDs filled with a 3-bar Ar-DME mixture always face the Sun to detect polarization from solar flares. The Minimum Detectable Polarization of a 1 mCrab source reaches 14 % in the 2–10 keV band in 105 s for pointed observations, and 0.6 % for an X10 class solar flare in the 15–35 keV energy band. The imaging capability is 24 arcsec Half Energy Width (HEW) in a Field of View of 14.7 arcmin × 14.7 arcmin. The spectral resolution is 20 % at 6 keV and the time resolution is 8 μs. The imaging capabilities of the JET-X optics and of the GPD have been demonstrated by a recent calibration campaign at PANTER X-ray test facility of the Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik (MPE, Germany). XIPE takes advantage of a low-earth equatorial orbit with Malindi as down-link station and of a Mission Operation Center (MOC) at INPE (Brazil). The data policy is organized with a Core Program that comprises three months of Science Verification Phase and 25 % of net observing time in the following 2 years. A competitive Guest Observer program covers the remaining 75 % of the net observing time.

Characterization and performance of the ASIC (CITIROC) front-end of the ASTRI camera

Abstract The Cherenkov Imaging Telescope Integrated Read Out Chip, CITIROC, is a chip adopted as the front-end of the camera at the focal plane of the imaging Cherenkov ASTRI dual-mirror small size telescope (ASTRI SST-2M) prototype. This paper presents the results of the measurements performed to characterize CITIROC tailored for the ASTRI SST-2M focal plane requirements. In particular, we investigated the trigger linearity and efficiency, as a function of the pulse amplitude. Moreover, we tested its response by performing a set of measurements using a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) in dark conditions and under light pulse illumination. The CITIROC output signal is found to vary linearly as a function of the input pulse amplitude. Our results show that it is suitable for the ASTRI SST-2M camera.

Silicon Photomultipliers Electrical Model Extensive Analytical Analysis

The present work aims to address a comprehensive analytical analysis of a new accurate equivalent electrical model of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors. The proposed circuit model allows to truthfully reproduce the output signal waveform generated by the light sensors apart from the specific technology adopted for the fabrication process, and can also be profitably exploited to perform reliable circuit-level simulations. A detailed and in-depth investigation of the functional parameters involved in the output pulse signals is here developed, and the most significant physical relationships are analytically derived as well. Experimental measurements are finally carried out on real devices, in order to validate the accuracy of the attained expressions, and good fittings are achieved between the analytical curve plots and the associated measurements results. The adopted analysis turns out to be particularly helpful when designing an optimum front-end architecture for SiPM detectors, since the performance of the entire detection system, especially in terms of dynamic range and timing resolution, can be accurately predicted as a function of the SiPM model parameters and the foremost features of the coupled front-end electronics.

Status of the stellar x-ray polarimeter for the Spectrum-X-Gamma mission

The Stellar X-Ray Polarimeter (SXRP) uses the polarization sensitivity of a graphite Bragg crystal and a lithium Thomsom scattering target to measure the polarization of X-rays from astrophysical sources. The SXRP is a focal plane detector for the Soviet-Danish SODART telescopes which will be launched on the Soviet Spectrum-X-Gamma mission. The SXRP will be the third orbiting stellar X-ray polarimeter, and should provide an order of magnitude increase in polarization sensitivity over its predecessors.

UVSiPM: A light detector instrument based on a SiPM sensor working in single photon counting

Abstract UVSiPM is a light detector designed to measure the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the 320–900 nm wavelength range. It has been developed in the framework of the ASTRI project whose main goal is the design and construction of an end-to-end Small Size class Telescope prototype for the Cherenkov Telescope Array. The UVSiPM instrument is composed by a multipixel Silicon Photo-Multiplier detector unit coupled to an electronic chain working in single photon counting mode with 10 nanosecond double pulse resolution, and by a disk emulator interface card for computer connection. The detector unit of UVSiPM is of the same kind as the ones forming the camera at the focal plane of the ASTRI prototype. Eventually, the UVSiPM instrument can be equipped with a collimator to regulate its angular aperture. UVSiPM, with its peculiar characteristics, will permit to perform several measurements both in lab and on field, allowing the absolute calibration of the ASTRI prototype.

Characterization of EASIROC as Front-End for the readout of the SiPM at the focal plane of the Cherenkov telescope ASTRI

The Extended Analogue Silicon Photo-multiplier Integrated Read Out Chip, EASIROC, is a chip proposed as front-end of the camera at the focal plane of the imaging Cherenkov ASTRI SST-2M telescope prototype. This paper presents the results of the measurements performed to characterize EASIROC in order to evaluate its compliance with the ASTRI SST-2M focal plane requirements. In particular, we investigated the trigger time walk and the jitter effects as a function of the pulse amplitude. The EASIROC output signal is found to vary linearly as a function of the input pulse amplitude with very low level of electronic noise and cross-talk (<1%). Our results show that it is suitable as front-end chip for the camera prototype, although, specific modifications are necessary to adopt the device in the final version of the telescope.

The camera of the ASTRI SST-2M prototype for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

In the context of the Cherenkov Telescope Array observatory project, the ASTRI SST-2M end-to-end prototype telescope, entirely supported by the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics, is designed to detect cosmic primary gamma ray energies from few TeV up to hundreds of TeV. The ASTRI SST-2M prototype camera is part of the challenging synergy of novel optical design, camera sensors, front-end electronics and telescope structure design. The camera is devoted to imaging and recording the Cherenkov images of air showers induced by primary particles into the Earth’s atmosphere. In order to match the energy range mentioned above, the camera must be able to trigger events within a few tens of nanoseconds with high detection efficiency. This is obtained by combining silicon photo-multiplier sensors and suitable front-end electronics. Due to the characteristic imprint of the Cherenkov image that is a function of the shower core distance, the signal dynamic range of the pixels and consequently of the front-end electronics must span three orders of magnitude (1:1000 photo-electrons). These and many other features of the ASTRI SST-2M prototype camera will be reported in this contribution together with a complete overview of the mechanical and thermodynamic camera system.

Characterization of the front-end EASIROC for read-out of SiPM in the ASTRI camera

Abstract The design and realization of a prototype for the Small-Size class Telescopes of the Cherenkov Telescope Array is one of the cornerstones of the ASTRI project. The prototype will adopt a focal plane camera based on Silicon Photo-Multiplier sensors that coupled with a dual mirror optics configuration represents an innovative solution for the detection of Atmospheric Cherenkov light. These detectors can be read by the Extended Analogue Silicon Photo-Multiplier Integrated Read Out Chip (EASIROC) equipped with 32-channels. In this paper, we report some preliminary results on measurements aimed to evaluate EASIROC capability of autotriggering and measurements of the trigger time walk, jitter, DAC linearity and trigger efficiency vs the injected charge. Moreover, the dynamic range of the ASIC is also reported.

Measurements of spectral and position resolution on a 16x16 pixel CZT imaging hard x-ray detector

Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) pixel detectors show very good spectral and spatial resolution and are suitable for use in compact hard X-ray sensors operated without cryogenics. One of the more interesting astrophysical application is their use as focal plane detectors for multilayer hard X-ray telescopes operating in the 15 - 70 keV energy band. Here we report on results obtained using a 16 x 16 CZT pixel detector (10 x 10 x 1 mm3 single crystal) with 500 μm pixels operated at room temperature using standard commercial electronics. The results clearly show that the use of small pixels is effective in reducing one of the major drawbacks of CZT planar detectors i.e. the considerable amount of charge loss, due to hole trapping, which gives rise to a reduced energy resolution and a low energy tail in the pulse-height spectra.

Evaluation of the optical cross talk level in the SiPMs adopted in ASTRI SST-2M Cherenkov Camera using EASIROC front-end electronics

ASTRI (Astrofisica con Specchi a Tecnologia Replicante Italiana), is a flagship project of the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research whose main goal is the design and construction of an end-to-end prototype of the Small Size of Telescopes of the Cherenkov Telescope Array. The prototype, named ASTRI SST-2M, will adopt a wide field dual mirror optical system in a Schwarzschild-Couder configuration to explore the VHE range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The camera at the focal plane is based on Silicon Photo-Multipliers detectors which is an innovative solution for the detection astronomical Cherenkov light. This contribution reports some preliminary results on the evaluation of the optical cross talk level among the SiPM pixels foreseen for the ASTRI SST-2M camera.