In spite of extensive observations and numerous theoretical studies in the past decades several key questions related with Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) emission mechanisms are still to be answered. Precise detection of the GRB polarization carried out by dedicated instruments can provide new data and be an ultimate tool to unveil their real nature. A novel space-borne Compton polarimeter POLAR onboard the Chinese space station TG2 is designed to measure linear polarization of gamma-rays arriving from GRB prompt emissions. POLAR uses plastics scintillator bars (PS) as gamma-ray detectors and multi-anode photomultipliers (MAPMTs) for readout of the scintillation light. Inherent properties of such detection systems are crosstalk and non-uniformity. The crosstalk smears recorded energy over multiple channels making both non-uniformity corrections and energy calibration more difficult. Rigorous extraction of polarization observable requires to take such effects properly into account. We studied influence of the crosstalk on energy depositions during laboratory measurements with X-ray beams. A relation between genuine and recorded energy was deduced using an introduced model of data analysis. It postulates that both the crosstalk and non-uniformities can be described with a single matrix obtained in calibrations with mono-energetic X- and gamma-rays. Necessary corrections are introduced using matrix based equations allowing for proper evaluation of the measured GRB spectra. Validity of the method was established during dedicated experimental tests. The same approach can be also applied in space utilizing POLAR internal calibration sources. The introduced model is general and with some adjustments well suitable for data analysis from other MAPMT-based instruments.
POLAR is a compact wide-field space-borne detector for precise measurements of the linear polarisation of hard X-rays emitted by transient sources in the energy range from 50 keV to 500 keV. It consists of a 40$times$40 array of plastic scintillator bars used as a detection material. The bars are grouped in 25 detector modules. The energy range sensitivity of POLAR is optimized to match with the prompt emission photons from the gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Polarization measurements of the prompt emission would probe source geometries, emission mechanisms and magnetic structures in GRB jets. The instrument can also detect hard X-rays from solar flares and be used for precise measurement of their polarisation. POLAR was launched into a low Earth orbit on-board the Chinese space-lab TG-2 on September 15th, 2016. To achieve high accuracies in polarisation measurements it is essential to assure both before and during the flight a precise energy calibration. Such calibrations are performed with four low activity $^{22}$Na radioactive sources placed inside the instrument. Energy conversion factors are related to Compton edge positions from the collinear annihilation photons from the sources. This paper presents main principles of the in-flight calibration, describes studies of the method based on Monte Carlo simulations and its laboratory verification and finally provides some observation results based on the in-flight data analysis.
POLAR is space-borne detector designed for a precise measurement of gamma-ray polarization of the prompt emissions of Gamma-Ray Bursts in the energy range 50 keV - 500 keV. POLAR is a compact Compton polarimeter consisting of 40$times$ 40 plastic scintillator bars read out by 25 multi-anode PMTs. In May 2015, we performed a series of tests of the POLAR flight model with 100% polarized x-rays beams at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility beam-line ID11 aming to study thresholds, crosstalk between channels and responses of POLAR flight model to polarized X-ray beams. In this paper we present the data analysis method and some analysis results. According the results, POLAR FM has good polarimetric capabilities.
Compton backscattering polarimetry provides a fast measurement of the polarization of an electron beam in a storage ring. Since the method is non-destructive, the polarization of the electrons can be monitored during internal target experiments. At NIKHEF a Compton polarimeter has been constructed to measure the polarization of the longitudinally polarized electrons stored in the AmPS ring. First results obtained with the polarimeter, the first Compton polarimeter to measure the polarization of a stored longitudinally polarized electron beam, are presented in this paper.
Compton backscattering polarimetry provides a fast and accurate method to measure the polarization of an electron beam in a storage ring. Since the method is non-destructive, the polarization of the electron beam can be monitored during internal target experiments. For this reason, a Compton polarimeter has been constructed at NIKHEF to measure the polarization of the longitudinally polarized electrons which can be stored in the AmPS ring. The design and results of the polarimeter, the first Compton polarimeter to measure the polarization of a stored longitudinally polarized electron beam directly, are presented in this paper.
I review the transfer of technology from accelerator-based equipment to space-borne astroparticle detectors. Requirements for detection, identification and measurement of ions, electrons and photons in space are recalled. The additional requirements and restrictions imposed by the launch process in manned and unmanned space flight, as well as by the hostile environment in orbit, are analyzed. Technology readiness criteria and risk mitigation strategies are reviewed. Recent examples are given of missions and instruments in orbit, under construction or in the planning phase.