Roden, NL -  PHOTONIS Netherlands, a leading electro-optic component manufacturer, has reached an agreement with the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) to create a new type of X-Ray source for the calibration of a new spectrometer on the Japanese ASTRO-H telescope, which is scheduled to be launched in 2014.  The telescope is designed to observe cosmic X-Rays from supernovas, black holes and galaxy clusters.  PHOTONIS is designing 21 units for the Modulated X-Ray Source (MXS), for the mission.

ASTRO-H will use cosmic X-Ray observations to study collapsing material in the vicinity of high-energy space events, such as black holes and supernova explosions.  It will also provide maps and accurate spectra profiles of galaxies and supernova remains.  The Soft X-ray Spectrometer will be built by the Japanese space agency JAXA/ISAS in collaboration with NASA/GSFC, with contributions from agencies in Europe.

High intensity Cosmic X-Rays sources can overload the sensitive detector in the spectrometer while micro-meteorites potentially can damage the detector.   The Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS) is being designed with a filter wheel which can modulate the intensity of the X-Rays reaching the spectrometer and thus enhance the quality of the observations.  The filters can also be used to protect the spectrometer against micro-meteorite impacts. 

The unique energy-separating capacity of the spectrometer requires a continuous correction for small fluctuations in the instrument’s energy scale in order to keep this scale calibrated. This can be done effectively with a new type of on-board X-ray source. This local calibration source, with precisely known spectral lines, can be switched on and off as calibrations are needed in order not to confuse calibration X-rays with celestial X-rays. PHOTONIS' new Modulated X-Ray Source (MXS) is based on a concept originally developed by NASA/GSFC. It will act as the calibration source and be mounted on the filter wheel housing that SRON is developing in collaboration with the University of Geneva for the Soft X-Ray Spectrometer on-board of the ASTRO-H spacecraft.

PHOTONIS is a multinational high-technology group, with more than 40 years experience in manufacture, sales and innovation, specializing in photo sensor technology. The Group operates internationally in the Night Vision, Industrial, Scientific and Medical Imaging markets. PHOTONIS designs and manufactures a wide range of custom and standard components and assemblies for mass spectroscopy as well as other medical, bio-medical and scientific instruments and holds several patents in these fields.

For more information, contact:
Margaret M. Cooley, International Marketing Manager
Email:   or Telephone: +1 (508) 347 4000
 

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