Characterization of the Particle-induced Background of XMM-Newton EPIC-pn: Short- and Long-term Variability
Bulbul E, Kraft R, Nulsen P, Freyberg M, Miller ED, Grant C, Bautz MW, Burrows DN, Allen S, Eraerds T, Fioretti V, Gasteldello F, Ghirardini V, Hall D, Meidinger N, Molendi S, Rau A, Wilkins D, Wilms J (2020)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Book Volume: 891
Journal Issue: 1
Abstract
The particle-induced background of X-ray observatories is produced by galactic cosmic ray (GCR) primary protons, electrons, and He ions. Events due to direct interaction with the detector are usually removed by onboard processing. The interactions of these primary particles with the detector environment produce secondary particles that mimic X-ray events from celestial sources, and are much more difficult to identify. The filter-wheel closed data from the XMM-Newton EPIC-pn camera in small window mode (SWM) contains both the X-ray-like background events, and the events due to direct interactions with the primary particles. From this data, we demonstrate that X-ray-like background events are spatially correlated with the primary particle interaction. This result can be used to further characterize and reduce the non-X-ray background in silicon-based X-ray detectors in current and future missions. We also show that spectrum and pattern fractions of secondary particle events are different from those produced by cosmic X-rays.
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Involved external institutions
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA)
United States (USA) (US)
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik (MPE) / Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Germany (DE)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
United States (USA) (US)
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
United States (USA) (US)
Stanford University
United States (USA) (US)
INAF - Osservatorio astronomico di Bologna
Italy (IT)
National Institute for Astrophysics / Istituto Nazionale Astrofisica (INAF)
Italy (IT)
Open University (OU)
United Kingdom (GB)
United States (USA) (US)
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik (MPE) / Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Germany (DE)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
United States (USA) (US)
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
United States (USA) (US)
Stanford University
United States (USA) (US)
INAF - Osservatorio astronomico di Bologna
Italy (IT)
National Institute for Astrophysics / Istituto Nazionale Astrofisica (INAF)
Italy (IT)
Open University (OU)
United Kingdom (GB)
How to cite
APA:
Bulbul, E., Kraft, R., Nulsen, P., Freyberg, M., Miller, E.D., Grant, C.,... Wilms, J. (2020). Characterization of the Particle-induced Background of XMM-Newton EPIC-pn: Short- and Long-term Variability. Astrophysical Journal, 891(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab698a
MLA:
Bulbul, Esra, et al. "Characterization of the Particle-induced Background of XMM-Newton EPIC-pn: Short- and Long-term Variability." Astrophysical Journal 891.1 (2020).
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