Application of an EMCCD Camera for Calibration of Hard X-Ray Telescopes

Julia K. Vogel; M. J. Pivovaroff; V. V. Nagarkar; H. Kudrolli; Kristin Kruse Madsen; J. E. Koglin; F. E. Christensen; N. F. Brejnholt

doi:10.1109/NSSMIC.2011.6154603

Application of an EMCCD Camera for Calibration of Hard X-Ray Telescopes

Julia K. Vogel, M. J. Pivovaroff, V. V. Nagarkar, H. Kudrolli, Kristin Kruse Madsen, J. E. Koglin, F. E. Christensen, N. F. Brejnholt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Recent technological innovations now make it feasible to construct hard x-ray telescopes for space-based astronomical missions. Focusing optics are capable of improving the sensitivity in the energy range above 10 keV by orders of magnitude compared to previously used instruments. The last decade has seen focusing optics developed for balloon experiments [1] and they will soon be implemented in approved space missions such as the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) [2] and ASTRO-H [3]. The full characterization of x-ray optics for astrophysical and solar imaging missions, including measurement of the point spread function (PSF) as well as scattering and reflectivity properties of substrate coatings, requires a very high spatial resolution, high sensitivity, photon counting and energy discriminating, large area detector. Novel back-thinned Electron Multiplying Charge-Coupled Devices (EMCCDs) [4] are highly suitable detectors for ground-based calibrations. Their chip can be optically coupled to a microcolumnar CsI(Tl) scintillator [5] via a fiberoptic taper. Not only does this device exhibit low noise and high spatial resolution inherent to CCDs, but the EMCCD is also able to handle high frame rates due to its controllable internal gain. Additionally, thick CsI(Tl) yields high detection efficiency for x-rays [6]. This type of detector has already proven to be a unique device very suitable for calibrations in astrophysics: such a camera was used to support the characterization of the performance for all NuSTAR optics [7]-[9]. Further optimization will enable similar cameras to be improved and used to calibrate x-ray telescopes for future space missions. In this paper, we discuss the advantages of using an EMCCD to calibrate hard x-ray optics. We will illustrate the promising features of this detector solution using examples of data obtained during the ground calibration of the NuSTAR telescopes performed at Columbia University during 2010/2011. Finally, we give an outlook on ongoing development and optimizations, such as the use of single photon counting mode to enhance spectral resolution.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference : NSS/MIC
Publisher	IEEE
Publication date	2012
Pages	1204-1212
ISBN (Electronic)	9781467301183
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/NSSMIC.2011.6154603
Publication status	Published - 2012
Event	2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference - Valencia, Spain Duration: 23 Oct 2011 → 29 Oct 2011 https://ewh.ieee.org/soc/nps/nss-mic/2011/

Conference

Conference	2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Valencia
Period	23/10/2011 → 29/10/2011
Internet address	https://ewh.ieee.org/soc/nps/nss-mic/2011/

Series	I E E E Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record
ISSN	1095-7863

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@inproceedings{3912c25035c14b049c247fe99aeb68bf,

title = "Application of an EMCCD Camera for Calibration of Hard X-Ray Telescopes",

abstract = "Recent technological innovations now make it feasible to construct hard x-ray telescopes for space-based astronomical missions. Focusing optics are capable of improving the sensitivity in the energy range above 10 keV by orders of magnitude compared to previously used instruments. The last decade has seen focusing optics developed for balloon experiments [1] and they will soon be implemented in approved space missions such as the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) [2] and ASTRO-H [3]. The full characterization of x-ray optics for astrophysical and solar imaging missions, including measurement of the point spread function (PSF) as well as scattering and reflectivity properties of substrate coatings, requires a very high spatial resolution, high sensitivity, photon counting and energy discriminating, large area detector. Novel back-thinned Electron Multiplying Charge-Coupled Devices (EMCCDs) [4] are highly suitable detectors for ground-based calibrations. Their chip can be optically coupled to a microcolumnar CsI(Tl) scintillator [5] via a fiberoptic taper. Not only does this device exhibit low noise and high spatial resolution inherent to CCDs, but the EMCCD is also able to handle high frame rates due to its controllable internal gain. Additionally, thick CsI(Tl) yields high detection efficiency for x-rays [6]. This type of detector has already proven to be a unique device very suitable for calibrations in astrophysics: such a camera was used to support the characterization of the performance for all NuSTAR optics [7]-[9]. Further optimization will enable similar cameras to be improved and used to calibrate x-ray telescopes for future space missions. In this paper, we discuss the advantages of using an EMCCD to calibrate hard x-ray optics. We will illustrate the promising features of this detector solution using examples of data obtained during the ground calibration of the NuSTAR telescopes performed at Columbia University during 2010/2011. Finally, we give an outlook on ongoing development and optimizations, such as the use of single photon counting mode to enhance spectral resolution.",

author = "Vogel, {Julia K.} and Pivovaroff, {M. J.} and Nagarkar, {V. V.} and H. Kudrolli and {Kruse Madsen}, Kristin and Koglin, {J. E.} and Christensen, {F. E.} and Brejnholt, {N. F.}",

year = "2012",

doi = "10.1109/NSSMIC.2011.6154603",

language = "English",

series = "I E E E Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record",

publisher = "IEEE",

pages = "1204--1212",

booktitle = "2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference",

address = "United States",

note = "2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2011 ; Conference date: 23-10-2011 Through 29-10-2011",

url = "https://ewh.ieee.org/soc/nps/nss-mic/2011/",

}

Vogel, JK, Pivovaroff, MJ, Nagarkar, VV, Kudrolli, H, Kruse Madsen, K, Koglin, JE, Christensen, FE & Brejnholt, NF 2012, Application of an EMCCD Camera for Calibration of Hard X-Ray Telescopes. in 2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference: NSS/MIC . IEEE, I E E E Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record, pp. 1204-1212, 2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, Valencia, Spain, 23/10/2011. https://doi.org/10.1109/NSSMIC.2011.6154603

Application of an EMCCD Camera for Calibration of Hard X-Ray Telescopes. / Vogel, Julia K.; Pivovaroff, M. J.; Nagarkar, V. V. et al.
2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference: NSS/MIC . IEEE, 2012. p. 1204-1212 (I E E E Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

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AU - Pivovaroff, M. J.

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AU - Kudrolli, H.

AU - Kruse Madsen, Kristin

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AB - Recent technological innovations now make it feasible to construct hard x-ray telescopes for space-based astronomical missions. Focusing optics are capable of improving the sensitivity in the energy range above 10 keV by orders of magnitude compared to previously used instruments. The last decade has seen focusing optics developed for balloon experiments [1] and they will soon be implemented in approved space missions such as the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) [2] and ASTRO-H [3]. The full characterization of x-ray optics for astrophysical and solar imaging missions, including measurement of the point spread function (PSF) as well as scattering and reflectivity properties of substrate coatings, requires a very high spatial resolution, high sensitivity, photon counting and energy discriminating, large area detector. Novel back-thinned Electron Multiplying Charge-Coupled Devices (EMCCDs) [4] are highly suitable detectors for ground-based calibrations. Their chip can be optically coupled to a microcolumnar CsI(Tl) scintillator [5] via a fiberoptic taper. Not only does this device exhibit low noise and high spatial resolution inherent to CCDs, but the EMCCD is also able to handle high frame rates due to its controllable internal gain. Additionally, thick CsI(Tl) yields high detection efficiency for x-rays [6]. This type of detector has already proven to be a unique device very suitable for calibrations in astrophysics: such a camera was used to support the characterization of the performance for all NuSTAR optics [7]-[9]. Further optimization will enable similar cameras to be improved and used to calibrate x-ray telescopes for future space missions. In this paper, we discuss the advantages of using an EMCCD to calibrate hard x-ray optics. We will illustrate the promising features of this detector solution using examples of data obtained during the ground calibration of the NuSTAR telescopes performed at Columbia University during 2010/2011. Finally, we give an outlook on ongoing development and optimizations, such as the use of single photon counting mode to enhance spectral resolution.

U2 - 10.1109/NSSMIC.2011.6154603

DO - 10.1109/NSSMIC.2011.6154603

M3 - Article in proceedings

T3 - I E E E Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record

SP - 1204

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BT - 2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference

PB - IEEE

T2 - 2011 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference

Y2 - 23 October 2011 through 29 October 2011

ER -

Application of an EMCCD Camera for Calibration of Hard X-Ray Telescopes

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