Work

Monogrid Imaging with Pixelized Detectors: The GRIPS Imaging Concept

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We describe the imaging concept used by the Gamma-Ray Imager/Polarimeter for Solar flares (GRIPS) project. In its high-altitude balloon payload form, GRIPS is equipped with a rotating grid (Multi-Pitch Rotating Modulator, MPRM) with 13 pitches ranging from $\approx12.5$ ≈ 12.5 ” to $\approx162.5$ ≈ 162.5 ” FWHM angular resolutions. An array of spatially-differentiated (pixelized) germanium strip detectors (GeD) allows the localization of incoming photons from $\sim20$ ∼ 20 keV to $>10$ > 10 MeV, to within the strip pitch of $\sim0.5$ ∼ 0.5 mm or better. At $\gtrsim100$ ≳ 100 keV, Compton reconstruction can also be used to reject non-solar photons and determine polarization. In this introductory paper, we concentrate on the optical response (point-spread-function) of the imaging grid from low to high energies. We also introduce several detector effects, which become progressively more important at higher energies.

Source: Solar Physics

DOI: 10.1007/s11207-025-02540-x

Authors: Pascal Saint-Hilaire, Gordon J. Hurford, Albert Y. Shih, Meredith A. Wieber

Institutions: Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Goddard Space Flight Center

Language: English

Topic: Particle Detector Development and Performance

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,190

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Science Mission Directorate