The European Photon Imaging Camera on XMM-Newton: The MOS cameras
- Autori: Turner, M.; Abbey, A.; Arnaud, M.; Balasini, M.; Barbera, M.; Belsole, E.; Bennie, P.; Bernard, J.; Bignami, G.; Boer, M.; Briel, U.; Butler, I.; Cara, C.; Chabaud, C.; Cole, R.; Collura, A.; Conte, M.; Cros, A.; Denby, M.; Dhez, P.; Di Coco, G.; Dowson, J.; Ferrando, P.; Ghizzardi, S.; Gianotti, F.; Goodall, C.; Gretton, L.; Griffiths, R.; Hainaut, O.; Hochedez, J.; Holland, A.; Jourdain, E.; Kendziorra, E.; Lagostina, A.; Laine, R.; La Palombara, N.; Lortholary, M.; Lumb, D.; Marty, P.; Molendi, S.; Pigot, C.; Poindron, E.; Pounds, K.; Reeves, J.; Reppin, C.; Rothenflug, R.; Salvetat, P.; Sauvageot, J.; Schmitt, D.; Sembay, S.; Short, A.; Spragg, J.; Stephen, J.; Strüder, L.; Tiengo, A.; Trifoglio, M.; Trümper, J.; Vercellone, S.; Vigroux, L.; Villa, G.; Ward, M.; Whitehead, S.; Zonca, E.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2001
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- Parole Chiave: Instrumentation: detectors; X-rays: general; Space and Planetary Science
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/214947
Abstract
The EPIC focal plane imaging spectrometers on XMM-Newton use CCDs to record the images and spectra of celestial X-ray sources focused by the three X-ray sources focused by the three X-ray mirrors. There is one camera at the focus of each mirror: two of the cameras contain seven MOS CCDs, while the third uses twelve PN CCDs, defining a circular field of view of 30′ diameter in each case. The CCDs were specially developed for EPIC, and combine high quality imaging with spectral resolution close to the Fano limit. A filter wheel carrying three kinds of X-ray transparent light blocking filter, a fully closed, and a fully open position, is fitted to each EPIC instrument. The CCDs are cooled passively and are under full closed loop thermal control. A radio-active source is fitted for internal calibration. Data are processed on-board to save telemetry by removing cosmic ray tracks, and generating X-ray event files; a variety of different instrument modes are available to increase the dynamic range of the instrument and to enable fast timing. The instruments were calibrated using laboratory X-ray beams, and synchrotron generated monochromatic X-ray beams before launch; in-orbit calibration makes use of a variety of celestial X-ray targets. The current calibration is better than 10% over the entire energy range of 0.2 to 10 keV. All these instruments survived launch and are performing nominally in orbit. In particular full field-of-view coverage is available, all electronic modes work, and the energy resolution is close to pre-launch values. Radiation damage is well within pre-launch predictions and does not yet impact on the energy resolution. The scientific results from EPIC amply fulfil pre-launch expectations.