宇宙観測で利用されるシンチレータ結晶 : PoGOLite気球実験(<特集>次世代先進センサーを拓く単結晶材料)

概要

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Crystal scintillators are widely utilized for recent X-ray and gamma-ray space observations onboard satellites or balloon observatories. In this paper, we describe the case of Polarized Gamma-ray Observer (PoGOLite), where Bismuth Germanate (BGO) and Lithium Calcium Aluminum Fluoride (LiCAF) are used together with plastic scintillators. The aim of the PoGOLite mission is to observe polarization from celestial sources in the energy band of 25-80 keV (hard X-rays), to study the magnetic field or scattering geometry around pulsars, accreting black-hole binaries, or active galactic nuclei. Compared with the hard X-ray source signal, the event rate of the background reaches 1000 times higher in the space and stratosphere, and it is very important to reduce/identify the background efficiently. The BGO crystal is an active shield to detect gamma-rays coming from outside the field of view or comic-ray particles. The LiCAF scintillator is used for the monitor of atmospheric neutrons.
日本結晶成長学会の論文