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Abstract
The Large Observatory for X-ray Timing,
LOFT
, is designed to perform fast X-ray timing and spectroscopy
with uniquely large throughput (Feroci et al., 2014a).
LOFT
focuses on two fundamental questions of
ESA’s Cosmic Vision Theme “Matter under extreme conditions”: what is the equation of state of ultra-
dense matter in neutron stars? Does matter orbiting close to the event horizon follow the predictions of
general relativity? These goals are elaborated in the mission Yellow Book (
http://sci.esa.int/loft/
53447-loft-yellow-book/
) describing the
LOFT
mission as proposed in M3, which closely resembles
the
LOFT
mission now being proposed for M4.
The extensive assessment study of
LOFT
as ESA’s M3 mission candidate demonstrates the high level
of maturity and the technical feasibility of the mission, as well as the scientific importance of its unique
core science goals. For this reason, the
LOFT
development has been continued, aiming at the new M4
launch opportunity, for which the M3 science goals have been confirmed. The unprecedentedly large
e
ff
ective area, large grasp, and spectroscopic capabilities of
LOFT
’s instruments make the mission capable
of state-of-the-art science not only for its core science case, but also for many other open questions in
astrophysics.
LOFT
’s primary instrument is the Large Area Detector (LAD), a
8
.
5 m
2
instrument operating in the
2–30 keV energy range, which will revolutionise studies of Galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources down
to their fundamental time scales. The mission also features a Wide Field Monitor (WFM), which in the
2–50 keV range simultaneously observes more than a third of the sky at any time, detecting objects down to
mCrab fluxes and providing data with excellent timing and spectral resolution. Additionally, the mission is
equipped with an on-board alert system for the detection and rapid broadcasting to the ground of celestial
bright and fast outbursts of X-rays (particularly, Gamma-ray Bursts).
This paper is one of twelve White Papers that illustrate the unique potential of
LOFT
as an X-ray
observatory in a variety of astrophysical fields in addition to the core science
Original language | English |
---|
Publisher | Large Observatory For X-ray Timing |
---|---|
Number of pages | 14 |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Probing the emission physics and weak/soft population of Gamma-Ray Bursts with LOFT. White Paper in Support of the Mission Concept of the Large Observatory for X-ray Timing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Active
-
LOFT: LOFT, the Large Observatory For X-ray Timing
Brandt, S., Budtz-Jørgensen, C., Lund, N., Pedersen, S. M., Kuvvetli, I. & Hansen, F.
15/02/2011 → …
Project: Research
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Activities
- 1 Membership of commitees, commissions, boards, councils, associations, organisations, or similar
-
European Space Agency - ESA (External organisation)
Søren Brandt (Participant)
25 May 2011 → 31 Dec 2013Activity: Membership › Membership of commitees, commissions, boards, councils, associations, organisations, or similar