SmallSat solar axion and activity x-ray imager (SSAXI)

Jaesub Hong; Suzanne Romaine; Almus Kenter; Christopher Moore; Katharine Reeves; Brian Ramsey; Kiranmayee Kilaru; Julia K. Vogel; Jaime Ruz Armendariz; Hugh H. Hudson; Kerstin Perez

doi:10.1117/12.2529781

9 September 2019 SmallSat solar axion and activity x-ray imager (SSAXI)

Jaesub Hong, Suzanne Romaine, Almus Kenter, Christopher Moore, Katharine Reeves, Brian Ramsey, Kiranmayee Kilaru, Julia K. Vogel, Jaime Ruz Armendariz, Hugh H. Hudson, Kerstin Perez

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11118, UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XXI; 1111810 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2529781
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2019, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Axion is a promising dark matter candidate as well as a solution to the strong charge-parity (CP) problem in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). We describe a new concept for SmallSat Solar Axion and Activity X-ray Telescope (SSAXI) to search for solar axions or axion-like particles (ALPs) and to monitor solar activity over a wide dynamic range. SSAXI aims to unambiguously identify X-rays converted from axions in the solar magnetic field along the line of sight to the solar core, effectively imaging the solar core. SSAXI employs Miniature lightweight Wolter-I focusing X-ray optics (MiXO) and monolithic CMOS X-ray sensors in a compact package. The wide energy range (0.5 - 5 keV) of SSAXI can easily distinguish spectra of axion-converted X-rays from solar X-ray spectra, while encompassing the prime energy band (3 - 4.5 keV) of axion-converted X-rays. The high angular resolution (30 arcsec) and large field of view (40 arcmin) in SSAXI will easily resolve the enhanced X-ray flux over the 3 arcmin wide solar core while fully covering the X-ray activity over the entire solar disc. The fast readout in the inherently radiation tolerant CMOS X-ray sensors enables high resolution spectroscopy over a wide dynamic range with a broad range of operational temperatures. We present multiple mission implementation options for SSAXI under ESPA class. SSAXI will operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit for 1 yr preferably near a solar minimum to accumulate sufficient X-ray photon statistics.

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Jaesub Hong, Suzanne Romaine, Almus Kenter, Christopher Moore, Katharine Reeves, Brian Ramsey, Kiranmayee Kilaru, Julia K. Vogel, Jaime Ruz Armendariz, Hugh H. Hudson, and Kerstin Perez "SmallSat solar axion and activity x-ray imager (SSAXI)", Proc. SPIE 11118, UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XXI, 1111810 (9 September 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2529781

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