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The ATHENA X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU)

Barret, D; Trong, TL; den Herder, J-W; Piro, L; Barcons, X; Huovelin, J; Kelley, R; (2016) The ATHENA X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU). In: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray. (pp. 99052F-1). SPIE: Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Green open access

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Abstract

The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) on board the Advanced Telescope for High-ENergy Astrophysics (Athena) will provide spatially resolved high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy from 0.2 to 12 keV, with 5" pixels over a eld of view of 5 arc minute equivalent diameter and a spectral resolution of 2.5 eV up to 7 keV. In this paper, we rst review the core scienti c objectives of Athena, driving the main performance parameters of the X-IFU, namely the spectral resolution, the eld of view, the e ective area, the count rate capabilities, the instrumental background. We also illustrate the breakthrough potential of the X-IFU for some observatory science goals. Then we brie y describe the X-IFU design as de ned at the time of the mission consolidation review concluded in May 2016, and report on its predicted performance. Finally, we discuss some options to improve the instrument performance while not increasing its complexity and resource demands (e.g. count rate capability, spectral resolution).

Type: Proceedings paper
Title: The ATHENA X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU)
Event: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1117/12.2232432
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2232432
Language: English
Additional information: © 2016 Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2232432
Keywords: Athena, Instrumentation, Space telescopes, X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray Integral Field Unit
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1537400
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