arXiv subjects

T. Chattopadhyay

Publications and source records attributed to T. Chattopadhyay.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Enhancing the sensitivity of next-generation X-ray imaging detectors with artificial intelligence and advanced event reconstruction algorithms

Advanced algorithms incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) enhance the sensitivity of X-ray imaging detectors and the scientific capabilities of future X-ray missions. In orbit, current instruments are limited in their sensitivity by (1) the instrumental background, induced by cosmic rays which produce signals that can be confused for genuine, astrophysical X-rays, and (2) the ability to reconstruct the detected photon events, degrading the quantum efficiency and energy resolution at the lowest energies, where much discovery space resides. We report on the development of prototype algorithms designed to operate on the raw frame-level data to provide improved identification of particle-induced background events and enhanced energy reconstruction. These algorithms consider the contextual information from all signals in a frame, and are built upon physics-motivated models of charge diffusion and signal generation within the detector. Using high fidelity simulations, we show that following recent developments, prototype ML algorithms can reduce the unrejected particle background by up to 68 per cent compared with traditional filtering methods when operated in an aggressive mode suitable for source detection in imaging surveys, or up to 40 per cent in a conservative mode designed to prioritize accurate measurements of the spectrum. We find that next-generation event reconstruction algorithms improve the sensitivity and energy resolution of CCD-like detectors at event energies below 1keV, and can aid in background filtering, and reduce the impact of photon pile-up. We present new laboratory data that demonstrates the performance of the algorithm on the MIT-LL CCID-93 CCD detector. Together with the capabilities of next-generation high-speed, low-noise detectors, these algorithms can satisfy the requirements for future X-ray flagship missions.

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arXiv2024

Augmenting astronomical X-ray detectors with AI for enhanced sensitivity and reduced background

Bringing artificial intelligence (AI) alongside next-generation X-ray imaging detectors, including CCDs and DEPFET sensors, enhances their sensitivity to achieve many of the flagship science cases targeted by future X-ray observatories, based upon low surface brightness and high redshift sources. Machine learning algorithms operating on the raw frame-level data provide enhanced identification of background vs. astrophysical X-ray events, by considering all of the signals in the context within which they appear within each frame. We have developed prototype machine learning algorithms to identify valid X-ray and cosmic-ray induced background events, trained and tested upon a suite of realistic end-to-end simulations that trace the interaction of cosmic ray particles and their secondaries through the spacecraft and detector. These algorithms demonstrate that AI can reduce the unrejected instrumental background by up to 41.5 per cent compared with traditional filtering methods. Alongside AI algorithms to reduce the instrumental background, next-generation event reconstruction methods, based upon fitting physically-motivated Gaussian models of the charge clouds produced by events within the detector, promise increased accuracy and spectral resolution of the lowest energy photon events.

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arXiv2022

Reducing the background in X-ray imaging detectors via machine learning

The sensitivity of astronomical X-ray detectors is limited by the instrumental background. The background is especially important when observing low surface brightness sources that are critical for many of the science cases targeted by future X-ray observatories, including Athena and future US-led flagship or probe-class X-ray missions. Above 2keV, the background is dominated by signals induced by cosmic rays interacting with the spacecraft and detector. We develop novel machine learning algorithms to identify events in next-generation X-ray imaging detectors and to predict the probability that an event is induced by a cosmic ray vs. an astrophysical X-ray photon, enabling enhanced filtering of the cosmic ray-induced background. We find that by learning the typical correlations between the secondary events that arise from a single primary, machine learning algorithms are able to successfully identify cosmic ray-induced background events that are missed by traditional filtering methods employed on current-generation X-ray missions, reducing the unrejected background by as much as 30 per cent.

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arXiv2022

X-ray speed reading: enabling fast, low noise readout for next-generation CCDs

Current, state-of-the-art CCDs are close to being able to deliver all key performance figures for future strategic X-ray missions except for the required frame rates. Our Stanford group is seeking to close this technology gap through a multi-pronged approach of microelectronics, signal processing and novel detector devices, developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT-LL). Here we report results from our (integrated) readout electronics development, digital signal processing and novel SiSeRO (Single electron Sensitive Read Out) device characterization.

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arXiv2022

Probing into emission mechanisms of GRB 190530A using time-resolved spectra and polarization studies: Synchrotron Origin?

Multi-pulsed GRB 190530A, detected by the GBM and LAT onboard \fermi, is the sixth most fluent GBM burst detected so far. This paper presents the timing, spectral, and polarimetric analysis of the prompt emission observed using \AstroSat and \fermi to provide insight into the prompt emission radiation mechanisms. The time-integrated spectrum shows conclusive proof of two breaks due to peak energy and a second lower energy break. Time-integrated (55.43 $\pm$ 21.30 \%) as well as time-resolved polarization measurements, made by the Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI) onboard \AstroSat, show a hint of high degree of polarization. The presence of a hint of high degree of polarization and the values of low energy spectral index ($α_{\rm pt}$) do not run over the synchrotron limit for the first two pulses, supporting the synchrotron origin in an ordered magnetic field. However, during the third pulse, $α_{\rm pt}$ exceeds the synchrotron line of death in few bins, and a thermal signature along with the synchrotron component in the time-resolved spectra is observed. Furthermore, we also report the earliest optical observations constraining afterglow polarization using the MASTER (P $<$ 1.3 \%) and the redshift measurement ($z$= 0.9386) obtained with the 10.4m GTC telescopes. The broadband afterglow can be described with a forward shock model for an ISM-like medium with a wide jet opening angle. We determine a circumburst density of $n_{0} \sim$ 7.41, kinetic energy $E_{\rm K} \sim$ 7.24 $\times 10^{54}$ erg, and radiated $γ$-ray energy $E_{\rm γ, iso} \sim$ 6.05 $\times 10^{54}$ erg, respectively.

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arXiv2020

Identifying charged particle background events in X-ray imaging detectors with novel machine learning algorithms

Space-based X-ray detectors are subject to significant fluxes of charged particles in orbit, notably energetic cosmic ray protons, contributing a significant background. We develop novel machine learning algorithms to detect charged particle events in next-generation X-ray CCDs and DEPFET detectors, with initial studies focusing on the Athena Wide Field Imager (WFI) DEPFET detector. We train and test a prototype convolutional neural network algorithm and find that charged particle and X-ray events are identified with a high degree of accuracy, exploiting correlations between pixels to improve performance over existing event detection algorithms. 99 per cent of frames containing a cosmic ray are identified and the neural network is able to correctly identify up to 40 per cent of the cosmic rays that are missed by current event classification criteria, showing potential to significantly reduce the instrumental background, and unlock the full scientific potential of future X-ray missions such as Athena, Lynx and AXIS.

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arXiv2017

Design & development of position sensitive detector for hard X-ray using SiPM and new generation scintillators

There is growing interest in high-energy astrophysics community for the development of sensitive instruments in the hard X-ray energy extending to few hundred keV. This requires position sensitive detector modules with high efficiency in the hard X-ray energy range. Here, we present development of a detector module, which consists of 25 mm x 25 mm CeBr3 scintillation detector, read out by a custom designed two dimensional array of Silicon Photo-Multipliers (SiPM). Readout of common cathode of SiPMs provides the spectral measurement whereas the readout of individual SiPM anodes provides measurement of interaction position in the crystal. Preliminary results for spectral and position measurements with the detector module are presented here.

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arXiv2017

Surprise in simplicity: an unusual spectral evolution of a single pulse GRB 151006A

We present a detailed analysis of GRB 151006A, the first GRB detected by Astrosat CZT Imager (CZTI). We study the long term spectral evolution by exploiting the capabilities of \emph{Fermi} and \emph{Swift} satellites at different phases, which is complemented by the polarization measurement with the CZTI. While the light curve of the GRB in different energy bands show a simple pulse profile, the spectrum shows an unusual evolution. The first phase exhibits a hard-to-soft (HTS) evolution until $\sim16-20$\,s, followed by a sudden increase in the spectral peak reaching a few MeV. Such a dramatic change in the spectral evolution in case of a single pulse burst is reported for the first time. This is captured by all models we used namely, Band function, Blackbody+Band and two blackbodies+power law. Interestingly, the \emph{Fermi} Large Area Telescope (LAT) also detects its first photon ($>100$\,MeV) during this time. This new injection of energy may be associated with either the beginning of afterglow phase, or a second hard pulse of the prompt emission itself which, however, is not seen in the otherwise smooth pulse profile. By constructing Bayesian blocks and studying the hardness evolution we find a good evidence for a second hard pulse. The \emph{Swift} data at late epochs ($>T_{90}$ of the GRB) also shows a significant spectral evolution consistent with the early second phase. The CZTI data (100--350\,keV), though having low significance ($1σ$), show high values of polarization in the two epochs ($77\%$ to $94\%$), in agreement with our interpretation.

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arXiv2016

AstroSat CZT Imager observations of GRB 151006A: timing, spectroscopy, and polarisation study

AstroSat is a multi-wavelength satellite launched on 2015 September 28. The CZT Imager of AstroSat on its very first day of operation detected a long duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) namely GRB 151006A. Using the off-axis imaging and spectral response of the instrument, we demonstrate that CZT Imager can localise this GRB correct to about a few degrees and it can provide, in conjunction with Swift, spectral parameters similar to that obtained from Fermi/GBM. Hence CZT Imager would be a useful addition to the currently operating GRB instruments (Swift and Fermi). Specifically, we argue that the CZT Imager will be most useful for the short hard GRBs by providing localisation for those detected by Fermi and spectral information for those detected only by Swift. We also provide preliminary results on a new exciting capability of this instrument: CZT Imager is able to identify Compton scattered events thereby providing polarisation information for bright GRBs. GRB 151006A, in spite of being relatively faint, shows hints of a polarisation signal at 100-300 keV (though at a low significance level). We point out that CZT Imager should provide significant time resolved polarisation measurements for GRBs that have fluence 3 times higher than that of GRB 151006A. We estimate that the number of such bright GRBs detectable by CZT Imager is 5 - 6 per year. CZT Imager can also act as a good hard X-ray monitoring device for possible electromagnetic counterparts of Gravitational Wave events.

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arXiv2015

Development of a Hard X-ray focal plane Compton Polarimeter: A compact polarimetric configuration with Scintillators and Si photomultipliers

X-ray polarization measurement of cosmic sources provides two unique parameters namely degree and angle of polarization which can probe the emission mechanism and geometry at close vicinity of the compact objects. Specifically, the hard X-ray polarimetry is more rewarding because the sources are expected to be intrinsically highly polarized at higher energies. With the successful implementation of Hard X-ray optics in NuSTAR, it is now feasible to conceive Compton polarimeters as focal plane detectors. Such a configuration is likely to provide sensitive polarization measurements in hard X-rays with a broad energy band. We are developing a focal plane hard X-ray Compton polarimeter consisting of a plastic scintillator as active scatterer surrounded by a cylindrical array of CsI(Tl) scintillators. The scatterer is 5 mm diameter and 100 mm long plastic scintillator (BC404) viewed by normal PMT. The photons scattered by the plastic scatterer are collected by a cylindrical array of 16 CsI(Tl) scintillators (5 mm x 5 mm x 150 mm) which are read by Si Photomultiplier (SiPM). Use of the new generation SiPMs ensures the compactness of the instrument which is essential for the design of focal plane detectors. The expected sensitivity of such polarimetric configuration and complete characterization of the plastic scatterer, specially at lower energies have been discussed in Chattopadhyay et al. (Exp. Astron. 35, 391-412, 2013; Astrophys. J. Suppl. 212, 12, 2014). In this paper, we characterize the CsI(Tl) absorbers coupled to SiPM. We also present the experimental results from the fully assembled configuration of the Compton polarimeter.

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