arXiv subjects

Haoli Shi

Publications and source records attributed to Haoli Shi.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission -- eXTP for launch in 2030

In this paper we present the current status of the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission, which has been fully approved for launch in 2030. eXTP is a space science mission designed to study fundamental physics under extreme conditions of matter density, gravity, and magnetism. The mission aims at determining the equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear density, measuring the effects of quantum electro-dynamics, and understanding the dynamics of matter in strong-field gravity. In addition to investigating fundamental physics, the eXTP mission is poised to become a leading observatory for time-domain and multi-messenger astronomy in the 2030's, as well as providing observations of unprecedented quality on a variety of galactic and extragalactic objects. After briefly introducing the history and a summary of the scientific objectives of the eXTP mission, this paper presents a comprehensive overview of: 1) the cutting-edge technology, technical specifications, and anticipated performance of the mission's scientific instruments; 2) the full mission profile, encompassing spacecraft design, operational capabilities, and ground segment infrastructure.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

In-flight energy calibration of the space-borne Compton polarimeter POLAR

POLAR is a compact wide-field space-borne detector for precise measurements of the linear polarisation of hard X-rays emitted by transient sources in the energy range from 50 keV to 500 keV. It consists of a 40$\times$40 array of plastic scintillator bars used as a detection material. The bars are grouped in 25 detector modules. The energy range sensitivity of POLAR is optimized to match with the prompt emission photons from the gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Polarization measurements of the prompt emission would probe source geometries, emission mechanisms and magnetic structures in GRB jets. The instrument can also detect hard X-rays from solar flares and be used for precise measurement of their polarisation. POLAR was launched into a low Earth orbit on-board the Chinese space-lab TG-2 on September 15th, 2016. To achieve high accuracies in polarisation measurements it is essential to assure both before and during the flight a precise energy calibration. Such calibrations are performed with four low activity $^{22}$Na radioactive sources placed inside the instrument. Energy conversion factors are related to Compton edge positions from the collinear annihilation photons from the sources. This paper presents main principles of the in-flight calibration, describes studies of the method based on Monte Carlo simulations and its laboratory verification and finally provides some observation results based on the in-flight data analysis.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

In-Orbit Instrument Performance Study and Calibration for POLAR Polarization Measurements

POLAR is a compact space-borne detector designed to perform reliable measurements of the polarization for transient sources like Gamma-Ray Bursts in the energy range 50-500keV. The instrument works based on the Compton Scattering principle with the plastic scintillators as the main detection material along with the multi-anode photomultiplier tube. POLAR has been launched successfully onboard the Chinese space laboratory TG-2 on 15th September, 2016. In order to reliably reconstruct the polarization information a highly detailed understanding of the instrument is required for both data analysis and Monte Carlo studies. For this purpose a full study of the in-orbit performance was performed in order to obtain the instrument calibration parameters such as noise, pedestal, gain nonlinearity of the electronics, threshold, crosstalk and gain, as well as the effect of temperature on the above parameters. Furthermore the relationship between gain and high voltage of the multi-anode photomultiplier tube has been studied and the errors on all measurement values are presented. Finally the typical systematic error on polarization measurements of Gamma-Ray Bursts due to the measurement error of the calibration parameters are estimated using Monte Carlo simulations.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

A crosstalk and non-uniformity correction method for the Compact Space-borne Compton Polarimeter POLAR

In spite of extensive observations and numerous theoretical studies in the past decades several key questions related with Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) emission mechanisms are still to be answered. Precise detection of the GRB polarization carried out by dedicated instruments can provide new data and be an ultimate tool to unveil their real nature. A novel space-borne Compton polarimeter POLAR onboard the Chinese space station TG2 is designed to measure linear polarization of gamma-rays arriving from GRB prompt emissions. POLAR uses plastics scintillator bars (PS) as gamma-ray detectors and multi-anode photomultipliers (MAPMTs) for readout of the scintillation light. Inherent properties of such detection systems are crosstalk and non-uniformity. The crosstalk smears recorded energy over multiple channels making both non-uniformity corrections and energy calibration more difficult. Rigorous extraction of polarization observable requires to take such effects properly into account. We studied influence of the crosstalk on energy depositions during laboratory measurements with X-ray beams. A relation between genuine and recorded energy was deduced using an introduced model of data analysis. It postulates that both the crosstalk and non-uniformities can be described with a single matrix obtained in calibrations with mono-energetic X- and gamma-rays. Necessary corrections are introduced using matrix based equations allowing for proper evaluation of the measured GRB spectra. Validity of the method was established during dedicated experimental tests. The same approach can be also applied in space utilizing POLAR internal calibration sources. The introduced model is general and with some adjustments well suitable for data analysis from other MAPMT-based instruments.

physics.ins-det↗