Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer Research Articles

The Distribution of Peak‐Ring Basins on Mercury and Their Correlation With the High‐Mg/Si Terrane

AbstractA catalog of mercurian craters that retain their central peak or peak‐ring structure was created to aid target prioritization for the Mercury Imaging X‐ray Spectrometer (MIXS), now on its way to Mercury aboard BepiColombo. Preliminary analysis of the MIXS crater catalog suggested a potential spatial correlation between an abnormally high spatial density of peak‐ring basins and a region of Mercury with elevated Mg/Si values (High‐Magnesium Terrane [HMT]). Robust statistical analysis of previously published crater catalogs confirmed that the spatial correlation exists, with an overall confidence level of 97.7%, specifically between peak‐ring basins and the HMT, delineated by a contour of Mg/Si = mean + 2σ = 0.648. Applying empirical impact cratering scaling laws to the 15 basins intersecting the HMT suggested that all have excavated material from ~13 to 20 km depth. None of the basins excavated mantle material, predicting instead that deep crustal material contains elevated Mg/Si material. However, five of the basins are predicted to have melted underlying mantle material, which might be a contributing factor in the elevated Mg/Si signature. In the absence of resolvable volcanic features associated with the rise of basaltic melts from the mantle, we favor excavation of deep crustal, high Mg/Si material. MIXS‐T is capable of spatially resolving individual features associated with peak‐ring basins and it is proposed that the 15 basins within the HMT are prioritized targets for MIXS, to test the hypothesis of exposed deep‐crustal material.

Towards practical autonomous deep-space navigation using X-Ray pulsar timing

We investigate the feasibility of deep-space navigation using the highly stable periodic signals from X-ray pulsars in combination with dedicated instrumentation on the spacecraft: a technique often referred to as ‘XNAV’. The results presented are based on the outputs from a study undertaken for the European Space Agency. The potential advantages of this technique include increased spacecraft autonomy and lower mission operating costs. Estimations of navigation uncertainties have been obtained using simulations of different pulsar combinations and navigation strategies. We find that the pulsar PSR B1937 + 21 has potential to allow spacecraft positioning uncertainties of ~2 and ~5 km in the direction of the pulsar after observation times of 10 and 1 h respectively, for ranges up to 30 AU. This could be achieved autonomously on the spacecraft using a focussing X-ray instrument of effective area ~50 cm2 together with a high performance atomic clock. The Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) instrument, due to be launched on the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury in 2018, is an example of an instrument that may be further developed as a practical telescope for XNAV. For a manned mission to Mars, where an XNAV system could provide valuable redundancy, observations of the three pulsars PSR B1937 + 21, B1821-24 and J0437-4715 would enable a three-dimensional positioning uncertainty of ~30 km for up to 3 months without the need to contact Earth-based systems. A lower uncertainty may be achieved, for example, by use of extended observations or, if feasible, by use of a larger instrument. X-ray instrumentation suitable for use in an operational XNAV subsystem must be designed to require only modest resources, especially in terms of size, mass and power. A system with a focussing optic is required in order to reduce the sky and particle background against which the source must be measured. We examine possible options for future developments in terms of simpler, lower-cost Kirkpatrick-Baez optics. We also discuss the principal design and development challenges that must be addressed in order to realise an operational XNAV system.

Calibration measurements on the DEPFET Detectors for the MIXS instrument on BepiColombo

The Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) will be launched on board of the 5th ESA cornerstone mission BepiColombo. The two channel instrument MIXS is dedicated to the exploration of the elemental composition of the mercurian surface by imaging x-ray spectroscopy of the elemental fluorescence lines. One of the main scientific goals of MIXS is to provide spatially resolved elemental abundance maps of key rock-forming elements. MIXS will be the successor of the XRS instrument, which is currently orbiting Mercury on board of NASAs satellite MESSENGER. MIXS will provide unprecedented spectral and spatial resolution due to its innovative detector and optics concepts. The MIXS target energy band ranges from 0.5 to 7 keV and allows to directly access the Fe-L line at 0.7 keV, which was not accessible to previous missions. In addition, the high spectroscopic resolution of FWHM ≤ 200 eV at the reference energy of 1 keV after one year in Mercury orbit, allows to separate the x-ray fluorescence emission lines of important elements like Mg (1.25 keV) and Al (1.49 keV) without the need for any filter. The detectors for the energy and spatially resolved detection of x-rays for both channels are identical DEPFET (DEpleted P-channel FET) active pixel detectors. We report on the calibration of the MIXS flight and flight spare detector modules at the PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) beamlines at the BESSY II synchrotron radiation facility. Each detector was calibrated at least at 10 discrete energies in the energy range from 0.5 to 10 keV. The excellent spectroscopic performance of all three detector modules was verified.

DEPFET Macropixel Detectors for MIXS: Integration and Qualification of the Flight Detectors

The Mercury imaging X-ray spectrometer (MIXS) on board of ESA's fifth cornerstone mission BepiColombo will be the first space instrument using DEpleted P-channel FET (DEPFET) based detectors. The MIXS spectrometer comprises two channels with identical focal plane detectors and is dedicated to energy resolved imaging of X-ray fluorescence from the mercurial surface. We report on the characterization, integration, and spectroscopic qualification of MIXS flight detectors. Detector chips were precharacterized at die level in order to select the best dies for integration and to do homogeneity and yield studies. Then, the detector chips were integrated to MIXS Detector Plane Arrays (DPAs), a complicated process due to the sophisticated mechanical structure, which allows the thermal decoupling of the detector from its readout and control chips. After integration, spectroscopic qualification measurements were done in order to analyze the detector performance and to prove the excellent spectroscopic performance of the DEPFET Macropixel detectors over a wide temperature range. The integration and spectroscopic qualification of all flight grade modules is now successfully completed.

DEPFET Macropixel Detectors for MIXS: First Electrical Qualification Measurements

The Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) is one of the instruments on board the Mercury Planetary Orbiter of the fifth European Space Agency (ESA) cornerstone mission BepiColombo. This spectrometer comprises two instruments and allows imaging X-ray spectroscopy of the Mercurian surface. The focal plane arrays for the energy and spatial resolved detection of X-rays are based on depleted P-channel FET (DEPFET) macropixel detectors. We report on the first electrical qualification measurements of DEPFET macropixel flight hardware, which are done at room temperature. The measurement of the transistor properties of all DEPFET pixels allows the selection of 100% electrically defect-free devices at an early stage directly after completion of the production process. Additionally, these measurements allow to investigate topics such as the homogeneity of transistor parameters across the detector matrix, to monitor die-to-die variations for matrices from the same wafer, and to investigate the differences between dies from different wafers in order to learn about the stability and reproducibility of the production process. The test results demonstrate good homogeneity and yield for the investigated detector matrices from the first production batch.

MIXS on BepiColombo and its DEPFET based focal plane instrumentation

Focal plane instrumentation based on DEPFET Macropixel devices, being a combination of the Detector–Amplifier structure DEPFET with a silicon drift chamber (SDD), has been proposed for the MIXS (Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer) instrument on ESA's Mercury exploration mission BepiColombo. MIXS images X-ray fluorescent radiation from the Mercury surface with a lightweight X-ray mirror system on the focal plane detector to measure the spatially resolved element abundance in Mercury's crust. The sensor needs to have an energy resolution better than 200 eV FWHM at 1 keV and is required to cover an energy range from 0.5 to 10 keV, for a pixel size of 300 × 300 μ m 2 . Main challenges for the instrument are radiation damage and the difficult thermal environment in the mercury orbit. The production of the first batch of flight devices has been finished at the MPI semiconductor laboratory. Prototype modules have been assembled to verify the electrical properties of the devices; selected results are presented here. The prototype devices, Macropixel prototypes for the SIMBOL-X focal plane, are electrically fully compatible, but have a pixel size of 0.5×0.5 mm 2. Excellent homogeneity and near Fano-limited energy resolution at high readout speeds have been observed on these devices.

The mercury imaging X-ray spectrometer (MIXS) on bepicolombo

The Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) on the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) will measure fluorescent X-ray emission from the surface of Mercury in the energy range 0.5–7.5 keV, which is induced by incident solar X-rays and solar wind electrons and protons. These X-rays will reveal the elemental composition of the surface of Mercury and aid the determination of the planet's evolution. MIXS is a two component instrument. A collimated channel (MIXS-C) provides measurements on scales of 70–270 km, sufficient to separate the major Mercurian terrains. A second channel (MIXS-T) is the first imaging X-ray telescope for planetary remote sensing and will make measurements on spatial scales of less than 10 km for major elements during solar flares, sufficient to isolate surface landforms, such as craters and their internal structures. The spatial resolution achieved by MIXS-T is made possible by novel, low mass microchannel plate X-ray optics, in a Wolter type I optical geometry. MIXS measurements of surface elemental composition will help determine rock types, the evolution of the surface and ultimately a probable formation process for the planet. In this paper we present MIXS and its predicted performance at Mercury as well as discussing the role that MIXS measurements will play in answering the major questions about Mercury.

Pixel detectors for x-ray imaging spectroscopy in space

Pixelated semiconductor detectors for X-ray imagingspectroscopy are foreseen as key components of the payload ofvarious future space missions exploring the x-ray sky. Located onthe platform of the new Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma satellite, theeROSITA (extended Roentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array)instrument will perform an imaging all-sky survey up to an X-rayenergy of 10 keV with unprecedented spectral and angular resolution.The instrument will consist of seven parallel oriented mirrormodules each having its own pnCCD camera in the focus. The satelliteborn X-ray observatory SIMBOL-X will be the first mission to useformation-flying techniques to implement an X-ray telescope with anunprecedented focal length of around 20 m. The detectorinstrumentation consists of separate high- and low energy detectors,a monolithic 128 × 128 DEPFET macropixel array and a pixellatedCdZTe detector respectively, making energy band between 0.5 to 80keV accessible. A similar concept is proposed for the nextgeneration X-ray observatory IXO. Finally, the MIXS (Mercury ImagingX-ray Spectrometer) instrument on the European Mercury explorationmission BepiColombo will use DEPFET macropixel arrays together witha small X-ray telescope to perform a spatially resolved planetaryXRF analysis of Mercury's crust. Here, the mission concepts andtheir scientific targets are briefly discussed, and the resultingrequirements on the detector devices together with theimplementation strategies are shown.

Solar Intensity X-ray and particle Spectrometer (SIXS)

The Solar Intensity X-ray and particle Spectrometer (SIXS) on the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) will investigate the direct solar X-rays, and energetic protons and electrons which pass the Spacecraft on their way to the surface of Mercury. These measurements are vitally important for understanding quantitatively the processes that make Mercury's surface glow in X-rays, since all X-rays from Mercury are due to interactions of the surface with incoming highly energetic photons and space particles. The X-ray emission of Mercury's surface will be analysed to understand its structure and composition. SIXS data will also be utilised for studies of the solar X-ray corona, flares, solar energetic particles, and the magnetosphere of Mercury, and for providing information on solar eruptions to other BepiColombo instruments. SIXS consists of two detector subsystems. The X-ray detector system includes three identical GaAs PIN detectors which measure the solar spectrum at 1–20 keV energy range, and their combined field-of-view covers ∼1/4 of the whole sky. The particle detector system consists of an assembly including a cubic central CsI(Tl) scintillator detector with five of its six surfaces covered by a thin Si detector, which together perform low-resolution particle spectroscopy with a rough angular resolution over a field-of-view covering ∼1/4 of the whole sky. The energy range of detected particle spectra is 0.1–3 MeV for electrons and 1–30 MeV for protons. A major task for the SIXS instrument is the measurement of solar X-rays on the dayside of Mercury's surface to enable modeling of X-ray fluorescence and scattering on the planet's surface. Since highly energetic particles are expected to also induce a significant amount of X-ray emission via particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and bremsstrahlung when they are absorbed by the solid surface of the planet Mercury, SIXS performs measurements of fluxes and spectra of protons and electrons. SIXS performs particle measurement at all orbital phases of the MPO as the particle radiation can occur also on the night side of Mercury. The energy ranges, resolutions, and timings of X-ray and particle measurements by SIXS have been adjusted to match with the requirements for interpretation of data from Mercury's surface, to be performed by utilising the data of the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS), which will measure X-ray emission from the surface.

PHEBUS: A double ultraviolet spectrometer to observe Mercury's exosphere

Probing of Hermean exosphere by ultraviolet spectroscopy (PHEBUS) is a double spectrometer for the Extreme Ultraviolet range (55–155 nm) and the Far Ultraviolet range (145–315 nm) devoted to the characterization of Mercury's exosphere composition and dynamics, and surface–exosphere connections. This French-led instrument is implemented in a cooperative scheme involving Japan (detectors), Russia (scanner) and Italy (ground calibration). PHEBUS will address the following main scientific objectives relative to Mercury's exosphere: determination of the composition and the vertical structure of the exosphere; characterization of the exospheric dynamics: day to night circulation, transport between active and inactive regions; study of surface release processes; identification and characterization of the sources of exospheric constituents; detection and characterization of ionized species and their relation with the neutral atmosphere; space and time monitoring of exosphere/magnetosphere exchange and transport processes; study and quantification of escape, global scale source/sink balance and geochemical cycles synergistically with other experiments of BepiColombo (Mercury Sodium Atmospheric Spectral Imager (MSASI), Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment (MPPE) on Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO); Mercury imaging X-ray spectrometer (MIXS), Search for exosphere refilling and emitted neutral abundance (SERENA) on Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)). Two gratings and two detectors are used according to a specific, compact design. The spectrum detection is based on the photon counting method and is realized using micro-channel plate (MCP) detectors with Resistive Anode Encoder (RAE). Typical photocathodes are CsI or KBr for the extreme ultra-violet (EUV) range, CsTe for the far ultra-violet (FUV) range. Extra visible lines are monitored using a photo-multiplier (PM) that is also used in photon counting mode. In order to prevent sensitivity losses which are critical in UV ranges, a minimum of reflections is achieved inside the instrument using only an off-axis parabola and a set of holographic gratings. A one degree-of-freedom scanning system allows to probe, at the highest possible signal-to-noise ratio, selected regions and altitude ranges of interest. Different modes of observation will be used sequentially (vertical scans, along-orbit scans, grazing observations at twilight, etc.). During the mission, the instrument will be regularly calibrated on well chosen stars, in such a way to quantitatively estimate the overall degradation of the sensitivity of the instrument.