论文标题
来自光电气偏振器的数据分析
Analysis of the data from photoelectric gas polarimeters
论文作者
论文摘要
我们回顾了分析X射线光电偏振器收集的数据的工具和程序,例如成像X射线极化探索器(IXPE)的板载。尽管许多这样的工具原则上是在其他能量频段工作的偏振器中常见的,但是这些设备的特性和性能需要特定的方法。我们将从对这种仪器的原始数据读取的分析开始,即光电子轨道的图像。我们将简要介绍如何使用高度专业的算法处理此类图像,以提取仪器收集的所有信息。除了光电子的发射初始方向外,这些能量,到达时间以及光子的吸收点。最后一个是与极化法相关的数量,我们将提出不同的方法以从中获得极化程度和角度。一种简单的方法,尤其是在X射线光电偏振器的开发阶段,基于光电子的方位角分布的构建和拟合。我们将讨论,有几个理由希望基于Stokes参数进行分析,尤其是当人们想分析真实的测量值时,即不是实验室,来源。这些是在所有波长上通常使用的数量,因为它们是加性的,然后诸如背景减法或校准应用之类的操作是微不足道的。我们将总结如何使用stokes参数来调整基于正向折叠拟合的电流光谱软件以执行光谱极光计。此外,我们将得出如何在极化测量上正确关联统计不确定性以及与另一个统计指标的关系,该指标在最小可检测到的极化中。
We review the tools and procedures for the analysis of the data collected by X-ray photoelectric gas polarimeters, like the ones on-board the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). Although many of such tools are in principle common with polarimeters working at other energy bands, the peculiar characteristics and performance of these devices require a specific approach. We will start from the analysis of the raw data read-out from this kind of instruments, that is, the image of the track of the photoelectron. We will briefly present how such images are processed with highly-specialized algorithms to extract all the information collected by the instrument. These include energy, time of arrival and, possibly, absorption point of the photon, in addition to the initial direction of emission of the photoelectron. The last is the quantity relevant for polarimetry, and we will present different methods to obtain the polarization degree and angle from it. A simple method, used extensively especially during the development phase of X-ray photoelectric gas polarimeters, is based on the construction and fitting of the azimuthal distribution of the photoelectrons. We will discuss that there are several reasons to prefer an analysis based on Stokes parameters, especially when one wants to analyze measurements of real, i.e., not laboratory, sources. These are quantities commonly used at all wavelengths because they are additive, and then operations like background subtraction or the application of calibration are trivial to apply. We will summarize how Stokes parameters can be used to adapt current spectroscopy software based on forward folding fitting to perform spectro-polarimetry. Moreover, we will derive how to properly associate the statistical uncertainty on a polarimetry measurement and the relation with another statistical indicator, which is in the minimum detectable polarization.