RHESSI as a Hard X-Ray Polarimeter

Authors

Mark L. McConnell, University of New Hampshire - Main CampusFollow
James M. Ryan, University of New HampshireFollow
D M. Smith, University of California - BerkeleyFollow
R P. Lin, University of California - BerkeleyFollow
A G. Emslie, University of AlabamaFollow

Abstract

Although designed primarily as a hard X-ray imager and spectrometer, the Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) is also capable of measuring the polarization of hard X-rays (20–100 keV) from solar flares. This capability arises from the inclusion of a small unobstructed Be scattering element that is strategically located within the cryostat that houses the array of nine germanium detectors. The Ge detectors are segmented, with both a front and rear active volume. Low-energy photons (below about 100 keV) can reach a rear segment of a Ge detector only indirectly, by scattering. Low-energy photons from the Sun have a direct path to the Be and have a high probability of Compton scattering into a rear segment of a Ge detector. The azimuthal distribution of these scattered photons carries with it a signature of the linear polarization of the incident flux. Sensitivity estimates, based on Monte Carlo simulations and in-flight background measurements, indicate that a 20–100 keV polarization sensitivity of less than a few percent can be achieved for X-class flares.

Department

Space Science Center

Publication Date

11-2002

Journal Title

Solar Physics

Publisher

Kluwer Academic Publishers

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1023/A:1022413708738

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

McConnell, Mark L.; Ryan, James M.; Smith, D M.; Lin, R P.; and Emslie, A G., "RHESSI as a Hard X-Ray Polarimeter" (2002). Solar Physics. 27.
https://scholars.unh.edu/ssc/27

Rights

© 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.