Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: We use semianalytic techniques to evaluate the burst sensitivity of designs for the EXIST hard X-ray survey mission. Applying these techniques to the mission design proposed for the Beyond Einstein program, we find that with its very large field of view and faint gamma-ray burst detection threshold, EXIST will detect and localize approximately two bursts per day, a large fraction of which may be at high redshift. We estimate that EXIST 's maximum sensitivity will be ~4 times greater than that of Swift 's Burst Alert Telescope. Bursts will be localized to better than 40'' at threshold, with a burst position as good as a few arcseconds for strong bursts. EXIST 's combination of three different detector systems will provide spectra from 3 keV to more than 10 MeV. Thus, EXIST will enable a major leap in the understanding of bursts, their evolution, environment, and utility as cosmological probes.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/524883
Authors: D. L. Band, J. E. Grindlay, J. Hong, G. Fishman, D. H. Hartmann, A. Garson III, H. Krawczynski, S. Barthelmy, N. Gehrels, G. Skinner
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1987146447