X-ray Satellite Research Articles

Improvement of spectroscopic performance using a charge-sensitive amplifier circuit for an X-ray astronomical SOI pixel detector

We have been developing monolithic active pixel sensors series, named ``XRPIX'', based on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) pixel technology, for future X-ray astronomical satellites. The XRPIX series offers high coincidence time resolution (∼ 1 μs), superior readout time (∼ 10 μs), and a wide energy range (0.5–40 keV) . In the previous study, we successfully demonstrated X-ray detection by event-driven readout of XRPIX2b. We here report recent improvements in spectroscopic performance. We successfully increased the gain and reduced the readout noise in XRPIX2b by decreasing the parasitic capacitance of the sense-node originated in the buried p-well (BPW) . On the other hand, we found significant tail structures in the spectral response due to the loss of the charge collection efficiency when a small BPW is employed. Thus, we increased the gain in XRPIX3b by introducing in-pixel charge sensitive amplifiers instead of having even smaller BPW . We finally achieved the readout noise of 35 e− (rms) and the energy resolution of 320 eV (FWHM) at 6 keV without significant loss of the charge collection efficiency.

Improving charge-collection efficiency of SOI pixel sensors for X-ray astronomy

We have been developing a new type of active pixel sensor, referred to as “XRPIX” for future X-ray astronomy satellites on the basis of silicon-on-insulator CMOS technology. The problem on our previous device, XRPIX1b, was degradation of the charge-collection efficiency (CCE) at pixel borders. In order to investigate the non-uniformity of the CCE within a pixel, we measured sub-pixel response with X-ray beams whose diameters are 10μmΦ at SPring-8. We found that the X-ray detection efficiency and CCE degrade in the sensor region under the pixel circuitry placed outside the buried p-wells (BPW). A 2D simulation of the electric fields with the semiconductor device simulator HyDeLEOS shows that the isolated pixel circuitry outside the BPW makes local minimums in the electric potentials at the interface between the sensor and buried oxide layers, where a part of charge is trapped and is not collected to the BPW. Based on this result, we modified the placement of the in-pixel circuitry in the next device, XRPIX2b, for the electric fields to be converged toward the BPW, and confirmed that the CCE at pixel borders is successfully improved.

Using the maximum X-ray flux ratio and X-ray background to predict solar flare class

We present the discovery of a relationship between the maximum ratio of the flare flux (namely, 0.5-4 Ang to the 1-8 Ang flux) and non-flare background (namely, the 1-8 Ang background flux), which clearly separates flares into classes by peak flux level. We established this relationship based on an analysis of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) X-ray observations of ~ 50,000 X, M, C, and B flares derived from the NOAA/SWPC flares catalog. Employing a combination of machine learning techniques (K-nearest neighbors and nearest-centroid algorithms) we show a separation of the observed parameters for the different peak flaring energies. This analysis is validated by successfully predicting the flare classes for 100% of the X-class flares, 76% of the M-class flares, 80% of the C-class flares and 81% of the B-class flares for solar cycle 24, based on the training of the parametric extracts for solar flares in cycles 22-23.

Chiral doping effect in the B2 phase of a bent-core liquid crystal: The observation of resonant X-ray satellite peaks assigned to the 5/10 layer periodic structure

We studied the details of a local layer structure in the B2 phase of bromo-containing bent-core liquid crystals mixed with a small amount of chiral molecules using microbeam resonant X-ray scattering. In this measurement, we detected the 1 ± 0.2 order satellite peaks, which suggest that the B2 phase of the mixture has a long-range periodic structure. Dielectric and electro-optic measurements indicate almost the same behavior as the antiferroelectric SmCAPA(B2) of pure bromo-containing bent-core liquid crystals, so that the B2 phase of the chiral mixture is also antiferroelectric, and it is concluded that the B2 phase of the chiral mixture forms a ten-layer periodic structure. Such a long-range periodic structure did not appear by mixing the racemate of the same compounds, which indicates the chiral effect on the long-range periodic structure.

CONSTRAINTS ON THE SURFACE MAGNETIC FIELDS AND AGE OF A COOL HYPERGIANT:XMM-NEWTONX-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF VY CMa

The complex circumstellar ejecta of highly evolved, cool hypergiants are indicative of multiple, asymmetric mass loss events. To explore whether such episodic, non-isotropic mass loss may be driven by surface magnetic activity, we have observed the archetypical cool hypergiant VY CMa with the XMM-Newton X-ray satellite observatory. The hypergiant itself is not detected in these observations. From the upper limit on the X-ray flux from VY CMa at the time of our observations ($F_{X,UL}~\approx~8\times10^{-14} {\rm~erg~cm}^{-2} {\rm~s}^{-1}$, corresponding to $\log~L_X/L_{bol}\leq-8$), we estimate an average surface magnetic field strength $fB \leq 2\times10^{-3}$~G (where $f$ is the filling factor of magnetically active surface regions). These X-ray results for VY CMa represent the most stringent constraints to date on the magnetic field strength near the surface of a hypergiant. VY CMa's mass loss is episodic and may have been in a state of low surface magnetic activity during the XMM observations. The XMM observations also yield detections of more than 100 X-ray sources within $\sim$15$^{\prime}$ of VY CMa, roughly 50 of which have near-infrared counterparts. Analysis of X-ray hardness ratios and IR colors indicates that some of these field sources may be young, late-type stars associated with VY CMa, its adjacent molecular cloud complex, and the young cluster NGC 2362. Further study of the VY CMa field is warranted, given the potential to ascertain the evolutionary timescale of this enigmatic, massive star.

The Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110: hard X-ray emission observed by NuSTAR and variability of the iron Kα line

We present NuSTAR observations of the bright Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110 obtained in 2012, when the source was at the highest flux level ever observed, and in 2013, when the source was at a more typical flux level. We include archival observations from other X-ray satellites, namely XMM-Newton, Suzaku, BeppoSAX, Chandra and Swift. Simultaneous NuSTAR and Swift broad band spectra (in the 3-80 keV range) indicate a cutoff energy $E_{\rm c}>210$ keV, with no detectable contribution from Compton reflection. NGC 2110 is one of the very few sources where no evidence for distant Compton thick scattering is found and, by using temporal information collected over more than a decade, we investigate variations of the iron K$\alpha$ line on time scales of years. The Fe K$\alpha$ line is likely the sum of two components: one constant (originating from distant Compton-thick material) and the other one variable and linearly correlated with the source flux (possibly arising from Compton-thin material much closer to the black hole).

Hard x-ray telescopes to be onboard ASTRO-H.

The new Japanese x-ray astronomy satellite, ASTRO-H, will carry two identical hard x-ray telescopes (HXTs), which cover the energy range of 5 to 80keV. The HXT mirrors employ tightly nested, conically approximated thin-foil Wolter-I optics, and the mirror surfaces are coated with Pt/C depth-graded multilayers to enhance the hard x-ray effective area by means of Bragg reflection. The HXT comprises foils 120-450mm in diameter and 200mm in length, with a focal length of 12m. To obtain a large effective area, 213 aluminum foils 0.2mm in thickness are tightly nested confocally. The requirements for HXT are a total effective area of >300 cm2 at 30keV and an angular resolution of <1.7' in half-power diameter (HPD). Fabrication of two HXTs has been completed, and the x-ray performance of each HXT was measured at a synchrotron radiation facility, SPring-8 BL20B2 in Japan. Angular resolutions (HPD) of 1.9' and 1.8' at 30keV were obtained for the full telescopes of HXT-1 and HXT-2, respectively. The total effective area of the two HXTs at 30keV is 349 cm2.

Ash Shutbah: A possible impact structure in Saudi Arabia

We have investigated the Ash Shutbah circular structure in central Saudi Arabia (21 degrees 37N 45 degrees 39E) using satellite imagery, field mapping, thin-section petrography, and X-ray diffraction of collected samples. The approximately 2.1km sized structure located in flat-lying Jurassic Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone has been nearly peneplained by erosional processes. Satellite and structural data show a central area consisting of Dhruma Formation sandstones with steep bedding and tight folds plunging radially outward. Open folding occurs in displaced, younger Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone Formation blocks surrounding the central area, but is absent outside the circular structure. An approximately 60cm thick, unique folded and disrupted orthoquartzitic sandstone marker bed occurring in the central area of the structure is found 140m deeper in undisturbed escarpment outcrops located a few hundred meters west of the structure. With exception of a possible concave shatter cone found in the orthoquartzite of the central area, other diagnostic shock features are lacking. Some quartz-rich sandstones from the central area show pervasive fracturing of quartz grains with common concussion fractures. This deformation was followed by an event of quartz dissolution and calcite precipitation consistent with local sea- or groundwater heating. The combination of central stratigraphic uplift of 140m, concussion features in discolored sandstone, outward-dipping concentric folds in the central area, deformation restricted to the rocks of the ring structure, a complex circular structure of 2.1km diameter that appears broadly consistent with what one would expect from an impact structure in sedimentary targets, and a possible shatter cone all point to an impact origin of the Ash Shutbah structure. In fact, the Ash Shutbah structure appears to be a textbook example of an eroded, complex impact crater located in flat-lying sedimentary rocks, where the undisturbed stratigraphic section can be studied in escarpment outcrops in the vicinity of the structure. (Less)

HXMT Planning and Scheduling Based on Evolution Method

The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) is an X-ray satellite devoted to a sensitive all-sky survey and to study timing and spectral characteristics of X-ray sources. In this paper, the requirement of planning for the satellite is described at first. And then based on the discussion of the observation requirement and the constraints of planning, an evolution scheduling algorithm is designed. The algorithm is based on NSGA-II. The observe windows of each observation are used as gene to composing a chromosome. The genetic operations, including selection, crossover and mutation, are based on the DNA coding. Results are presented according a test set, and some conclusions and possible improvements will finally be outlined.

ESTIMATE OF SOLAR MAXIMUM USING THE 1-8 Å GEOSTATIONARY OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES X-RAY MEASUREMENTS

We present an alternate method of determining the progression of the solar cycle through an analysis of the solar X-ray background. Our results are based on the NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) X-ray data in the 1-8 \AA$\,$band from 1986 - present, covering solar cycles 22, 23, and 24. The X-ray background level tracks the progression of the solar cycle through its maximum and minimum. Using the X-ray data, we can therefore make estimates of the solar cycle progression and date of solar maximum. Based upon our analysis, we conclude that the Sun reached its hemisphere-averaged maximum in Solar Cycle 24 in late 2013. This is within six months of the NOAA prediction of a maximum in Spring 2013.

Expected number of supergiant fast X-ray transients in the Milky Way

In the past fifteen years a new generation of X-ray satellites led to the discovery of a subclass of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) with supergiant companions and a peculiar transient behaviour: supergiant fast X-ray transients (SFXTs). We calculate the expected number of Galactic SFXTs for the first time, using two different statistical approaches and two sets of data based on Swift and INTEGRAL surveys, with the aim to determine how common the SFXT phenomenon really is. We find that the expected number of SFXTs in the Galaxy is about 37(+53, -22) which shows that SFXTs constitute a large portion of X-ray binaries with supergiant companions in the Galaxy. We compare our estimate with the expected number of Galactic HMXBs predicted from observations and evolutionary models and discuss the implications for the nature of SFXTs.

REVERSE AND FORWARD SHOCK X-RAY EMISSION IN AN EVOLUTIONARY MODEL OF SUPERNOVA REMNANTS UNDERGOING EFFICIENT DIFFUSIVE SHOCK ACCELERATION

We present new models for the forward and reverse shock thermal X-ray emission from core-collapse and Type Ia supernova remnants (SNRs) which include the efficient production of cosmic rays via non-linear diffusive shock acceleration (DSA). Our CR-hydro-NEI code takes into account non-equilibrium ionization (NEI), hydrodynamic effects of efficient CR production on the SNR evolution, and collisional temperature equilibration among heavy ions and electrons in both the shocked supernova (SN) ejecta and the shocked circumstellar material. While X-ray emission is emphasized here, our code self-consistently determines both thermal and non-thermal broadband emission from radio to TeV energies. We include Doppler broadening of the spectral lines by thermal motions of the ions and by the remnant expansion. We study, in general terms, the roles which the ambient environment, progenitor models, temperature equilibration, and processes related to DSA have on the thermal and non-thermal spectra. The study of X-ray line emission from young SNRs is a powerful tool for determining specific SN elemental contributions, and for providing critical information that helps to understand the type and energetics of the explosion, the composition of the ambient medium in which the SN exploded, and the ionization and dynamics of the hot plasma in the shocked SN ejecta and interstellar medium. With the approaching launch of the next-generation X-ray satellite Astro-H, observations of spectral lines with unprecedented high resolution will become a reality. Our self-consistent calculations of the X-ray spectra from various progenitors will help interpret future observations of SNRs.

Numerical simulation of the disk dynamics around the black hole: Bondi–Hoyle accretion

We have solved the General Relativistic Hydrodynamic (GRH) equations using the high resolution shock capturing scheme (HRSCS) to find out the dependency of the disk dynamics to the Mach number, adiabatic index, the black hole rotation parameter and the outer boundary of the computational domain around the non-rotating and rotating black holes. We inject the gas to computational domain at upstream and downstream regions at the same time with different initial conditions. It is found that variety of the mass accretion rates and shock cone structures strongly depend on Mach number and adiabatic index of the gas. The shock cones on the accretion disk are important physical mechanisms to trap existing oscillation modes, thereupon these trapped modes may generate strong X-rays observed by different X-ray satellites. Besides, our numerical approach also show that the shock cones produces the flip–flop oscillation around the black holes. The flip–flop instabilities which are monitored in our simulations may explain the erratic spin behavior of the compact objects (the black holes and neutron stars) seen from observed data.

RECOMBINING PLASMA IN THE GAMMA-RAY-EMITTING MIXED-MORPHOLOGY SUPERNOVA REMNANT 3C 391

A group of middle-aged mixed-morphology (MM) supernova remnants (SNRs) interacting with molecular clouds (MC) has been discovered as strong GeV gamma-ray emitters by Large Area Telescope on board Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope (Fermi-LAT). The recent observations of the Suzaku X-ray satellite have revealed that some of these interacting gamma-ray emitting SNRs, such as IC443, W49B, W44, and G359.1-0.5, have overionized plasmas. 3C 391 (G31.9+0.0) is another Galactic MM SNR interacting with MC. It was observed in GeV gamma rays by Fermi-LAT as well as in the 0.3 $-$ 10.0 keV X-ray band by Suzaku. In this work, 3C 391 was detected in GeV gamma rays with a significance of $\sim$ 18 $\sigma$ and we showed that the GeV emission is point-like in nature. The GeV gamma-ray spectrum was shown to be best explained by the decay of neutral pions assuming that the protons follow a broken power-law distribution. We revealed radiative recombination structures of silicon and sulfur from 3C 391 using Suzaku data. In this paper we discuss the possible origin of this type of radiative plasma and hadronic gamma rays.

XMM-NewtonandChandraX-ray follow-up observations of the VHE gamma-ray source HESS J1507-622

Context. The discovery of the unique source HESS J1507-622 in the very high energy (VHE) range (100 GeV-100 TeV) opened new possibilities to study the parent population of ultra-relativistic particles found in astrophysical sources and underlined the possibility of new scenarios/mechanisms crucial for understanding the underlying astrophysical processes in nonthermal sources. Aims. The follow-up X-ray (0.2 - 10 keV) observations on HESS J1507-622 are reported, and possibilities regarding the nature of the VHE source and that of the newly discovered X-ray sources are investigated. Methods.We obtained bservations with the X-ray satellites XMM-Newton and Chandra. Background corrections were applied to the data to search for extended diffuse emission. Since HESS J1507-622 covers a large part of the field of view of these instruments, blank-sky background fields were used. Results. The discovery of several new X-ray sources and a new, faint, extended X-ray source with a flux of ~6e-14 erg cm^-2 s^-1 is reported. Interestingly, a new, variable point-like X-ray source with a flux of ~8e-14 erg cm^-2 s^-1 appeared in the 2011 observation, which was not detected in the previous X-ray observations. Conclusions. The X-ray observations revealed a faint, extended X-ray source that may be a possible counterpart for HESS J1507-622. This source could be an X-ray pulsar wind nebula (PWN) remnant of the larger gamma-ray PWN, which is still bright in IC emission. Several interpretations are proposed to explain the newly detected variable X-ray source.

Measurements of charge transfer efficiency in a proton-irradiated swept charge device

Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs) have been successfully used in several low energy X-ray astronomical satellites over the past two decades. Their high energy resolution and high spatial resolution make them a perfect tool for low energy astronomy, such as observing the formation of galaxy clusters and the environment around black holes. The Low Energy X-ray Telescope (LE) group is developing a Swept Charge Device (SCD) for the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) satellite. A SCD is a special low energy X-ray CCD, which can be read out a thousand times faster than traditional CCDs, simultaneously keeping excellent energy resolution. A test method for measuring the charge transfer efficiency (CTE) of a prototype SCD has been set up. Studies of the charge transfer inefficiency (CTI) with a proton-irradiated SCD have been performed at a range of operating temperatures. The SCD is irradiated by 3 × 108cm−2 10 MeV protons.

Development status of the mechanical cryocoolers for the Soft X-ray Spectrometer on board Astro-H

Astro-H is the Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite to be launched in 2015. The Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) on board Astro-H is a high energy resolution spectrometer utilizing an X-ray micro-calorimeter array, which is operated at 50mK by the ADR with the 30liter superfluid liquid helium. The mechanical cryocoolers, 4K-class Joule Thomson (JT) cooler and 20K-class double-staged Stirling (2ST) cooler, are key components of the SXS cooling system to extend the lifetime of LHe cryogen beyond 3years as required. Higher reliability was therefore investigated with higher cooling capability based on the heritage of existing cryocoolers. As the task of assessing further reliability dealt with the pipe-choking phenomena by contaminant solidification of the on-orbit SMILES JT cryocooler, outgassing from materials and component parts used in the cryocoolers was measured quantitatively to verify the suppression of carbon dioxide gas by their storage process and predict the total accumulated carbon dioxide for long-term operation. A continuous running test to verify lifetime using the engineering model (EM) of the 4K-JT cooler is underway, having operated for a total of 720days as of June 2013 and showing no remarkable change in cooling performance. During the current development phase, prototype models (PM) of the cryocoolers were installed to the test SXS dewar (EM) to verify the overall cooling performance from room temperature to 50mK. During the EM dewar test, the requirement to reduce the transmitted vibration from the 2ST cooler compressor was recognized as mitigating the thermal instability of the SXS microcalorimeter at 50mK.

DISCOVERY OF ENHANCED RADIATIVE RECOMBINATION CONTINUA OF He-LIKE IRON AND CALCIUM FROM IC 443 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

We present deep observations of the Galactic supernova remnant IC 443 with the {\it Suzaku X-ray satellite}. We find prominent K-shell lines from iron and nickel, together with a triangle residual at 8--10~keV, which corresponds to the energy of the radiative recombination continuum (RRC) of He-like iron. In addition, the wavy residuals have been seen at $\sim$5.1 and $\sim$5.5~keV. We confirm that the residuals show the first enhanced RRCs of He- and H-like calcium found in supernova remnants. These facts provide robust evidence for the recombining plasma. We reproduce the plasma in the 3.7--10~keV band using a recombining plasma model at the electron temperature 0.65~keV. The recombination parameter $n_{\rm e}t$ ($n_{\rm e}$ is electron density and $t$ is elapsed time after formation of a recombining plasma) and abundances of iron and nickel are strongly correlated, and hence the errors are large. On the other hand, the ratio of nickel to iron relative to the solar abundances is well constrained to 11$^{+4}_{-3}$ (1$\sigma$). A possibility is that the large abundance ratio is a result of an asymmetric explosion of the progenitor star.

Suzaku observation of the symbiotic X-ray binary IGR J16194−2810

Abstract We observed IGR J16194−2810 in the low/hard state with the Suzaku X-ray satellite in 2009. The source is a Symbiotic X-ray Binary (SyXB) classified as a category of a Low-Mass X-ray Binary (LMXB), since the system is composed of an M-type giant and probably a neutron star (NS). We detected the 0.8–50 keV signal with the XIS and HXD-PIN. The 2–10 keV luminosity was L ∼ 7 × 1034 erg s−1 corresponding to ∼ 10−3LEdd, where LEdd is the Eddington luminosity of a 1.4 M⊙ NS and a source distance of 3.7 kpc is assumed. The luminosity is similar to those of past observations. The spectral analysis showed that there are two emission components below and above ∼ 2 keV. The hard emission component is represented by a Comptonized blackbody emission model with seed-photon temperature ∼ 1.0 keV and emission radius ∼ 700 m. The seed photon is considered to come from a small fraction of the NS surface. The soft component is reproduced by either a raw blackbody (∼ 0.4 keV, ∼ 1.7 km) or a Comptonized emission (∼ 0.1 keV, ∼ 75 km). We think that the origin is the emission from another part of the NS surface or the accreting stream. The physical parameters of the hard emission component of IGR J16194−2810 are compared with those of an SyXB (4U 1700+24) and two LMXBs (Aql X-1 and 4U 0614+091). This comparison reveals that these SyXBs in the low/hard state have a smaller radiation region (&amp;lt; 1 km) on the NS surface with a higher seed-photon temperature (∼ 1 keV) than the comparison LMXBs.

Metastable Innershell Molecular State (MIMS) II: K-shell X-ray satellites in heavy ion impact on solids

Metastable Innershell Molecular State (MIMS), an innershell-bound ultra-high-energy molecule, was previously proposed to explain a ∼40% efficiency of soft-X-ray generation in ∼0.05keV/amu nanoparticle impact on solids. Here, the MIMS model has been extended and applied to interpreting the experimental K-shell X-ray satellite spectra for more than 40years in keV-MeV/amu heavy-ion impact on solids. The binding energies of the K-shell MIMS of elements from Al to Ti were determined to be 80–200eV. The successful extension of the model to the K-shell MIMS confirms that all elements in the periodic table and their combinations are subjected to the MIMS formation.