The Constellation-X reflection grating spectrometer

Jean Cottam; Webster Cash; Kathryn A. Flanagan; Ralf K. Heilmann; Gregory Y. Prigozhin; Andrew P. Rasmussen; George R. Ricker; Mark L. Schattenburg; Eric Schindhelm

doi:10.1117/12.672227

13 June 2006 The Constellation-X reflection grating spectrometer

Jean Cottam, Webster Cash, Kathryn A. Flanagan, Ralf K. Heilmann, Gregory Y. Prigozhin, Andrew P. Rasmussen, George R. Ricker, Mark L. Schattenburg, Eric Schindhelm

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6266, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation II: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 62661X (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672227
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The Constellation-X Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) is designed to provide high-throughput, high-resolution spectra in the long wavelength band of 6 to 50 angstrom. In the nominal design an array of reflection gratings is mounted at the exit of the Spectroscopy X-ray Telescope (SXT) mirror module. The gratings intercept and disperse light to a designated array of CCD detectors. To achieve the throughput (A_eff > 1000 cm² below 0.6 keV) and resolution (Δλ/λ > 300 below 0.6 keV) requirements for the instrument we are investigating two possible grating designs. The first design uses in-plane gratings in a classical configuration that is very similar to the XMM-Newton RGS. The second design uses off-plane gratings in a conical configuration. The off-plane design has the advantage of providing higher reflectivity and potentially, a higher spectral resolution than the in-plane configuration. In our presentation we will describe the performance requirements and the current status of the technology development.

Citation Download Citation

Jean Cottam, Webster Cash, Kathryn A. Flanagan, Ralf K. Heilmann, Gregory Y. Prigozhin, Andrew P. Rasmussen, George R. Ricker, Mark L. Schattenburg, and Eric Schindhelm "The Constellation-X reflection grating spectrometer", Proc. SPIE 6266, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation II: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 62661X (13 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672227

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available