Gamma-Ray and Hard X-Ray Imaging of Solar Flares
Abstract
We discuss the scientific and technical aspects of high-resolution γ-ray and X-ray imaging of solar flares. The scientific necessity for imaging observations of solar flares and the implications of future observations for the study of solar flare electrons and ions are considered. Performance parameters for a future hard X-ray and γ-ray imager are then summarized. We briefly survey techniques for high-energy photon imaging including direct collimation imaging, coded apertures, and modulation collimators. We then discuss in detail the technique of Fourier-transform imaging. The basic formalism is presented, followed by a discussion of several practical aspects of the technique. We conclude our discussion of imaging techniques with a description of the options for detectors and grid fabrication. Several planned future high-energy imagers are described including the Solar-A hard X-ray imager, the balloon-borne GRID γ-ray imager, and the Pinhole/Occulter Facility.
Additional Information
© 1988 Kluwer. Received 16 February 1988. Many of the ideas discussed in this paper have developed in the context of several studies of high-resolution X-ray and γ-ray imagers. Particular studies include the work of the Pinhole/Occulter Science Working Group, that of the Max '91 Science Study Committee, and that the of SHAPE Explorer proposal study group. We thank all our colleagues involved in these activities for stimulating discussions and for their vigorous efforts in support of high-resolution solar imaging. In particular, we acknowledge the valuable ideas and contributions from J. Dabbs, B. R. Dennis, E. Feinmore, R. Lin, L. E. Orwig, E. Tandberg-Hanssen, H. F. van Beek, and K. Wood. The work on Fourier-transform imaging has received financial support from numerous sources. We wish to acknowledge in particular NSF Grant AST-8351736 and NASA Grants NAG 8-588 and NAG 5-988 (T. A. Prince), NASA Grant NAG 5-998 and NSG Grant ATM-8610330 (G. J. Hurford), NASA Grant NSG 7161 (H. S. Hudson) and NASA RTOPS 682-353-40-10-3 and 682-188-38-51-14 (C. J. Crannell).Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 45397
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140501-093717771
- AST-8351736
- NSF
- NAG 8-588
- NASA
- NAG 5-988
- NASA
- NAG 5-998
- NASA
- ATM-8610330
- NSF
- NSG 7161
- NASA
- RTOPS 682-353-40-10-3
- NASA
- RTOPS 682-188-38-51-14
- NASA
- Created
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2014-05-01Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Space Radiation Laboratory
- Other Numbering System Name
- Space Radiation Laboratory
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 1988-02