The Microchannel X-ray Telescope on Board the SVOM Satellite

D. Gotz; C. Adami; S. Basa; V. Beckmann; V. Burwitz; R. Chipaux; B. Cordier; P. Evans; O. Godet; R. Goosmann; N. Meidinger; A. Meuris; C. Motch; K. Nandra; P. O'Brien; J. Osborne; E. Perinati; A. Rau; R. Willingale; K. Mercier; F. Gonzalez

arXiv · 1507.00204

The Microchannel X-ray Telescope on Board the SVOM Satellite

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Abstract

We present the Micro-channel X-ray Telescope (MXT), a new narrow-field (about 1{\deg}) telescope that will be flying on the Sino-French SVOM mission dedicated to Gamma-Ray Burst science, scheduled for launch in 2021. MXT is based on square micro pore optics (MPOs), coupled with a low noise CCD. The optics are based on a "Lobster Eye" design, while the CCD is a focal plane detector similar to the type developed for the seven eROSITA telescopes. MXT is a compact and light (<35 kg) telescope with a 1 m focal length, and it will provide an effective area of about 45 cmsq on axis at 1 keV. The MXT PSF is expected to be better than 4.2 arc min (FWHM) ensuring a localization accuracy of the afterglows of the SVOM GRBs to better than 1 arc min (90\% c.l. with no systematics) provided MXT data are collected within 5 minutes after the trigger. The MXT sensitivity will be adequate to detect the afterglows for almost all the SVOM GRBs as well as to perform observations of non-GRB astrophysical objects. These performances are fully adapted to the SVOM science goals, and prove that small and light telescopes can be used for future small X-ray missions.

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D. Gotz, C. Adami, S. Basa, V. Beckmann, V. Burwitz, R. Chipaux, B. Cordier, P. Evans, O. Godet, R. Goosmann, N. Meidinger, A. Meuris, C. Motch, K. Nandra, P. O'Brien, J. Osborne, E. Perinati, A. Rau, R. Willingale, K. Mercier, F. Gonzalez. 2015-07-01. The Microchannel X-ray Telescope on Board the SVOM Satellite. https://arxiv.org/abs/1507.00204

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