TITLE AND SHORT ABSTRACT   (due Aug. 1, 1997)
(email to head97@netcom.com)

Title:

The Development of a Hard X-Ray Polarimeter for Astrophysics

Author(s) and Affiliation(s):

M. McConnell, D. Forrest, J. Macri, J. Ryan and W.T. Vestrand
Space Science Center, Univrsity of New Hampshire


Subject Area: (choose one - delete the rest.)
Missions & Instruments

Abstract (Please limit the length to less than 400 words):

We have been working on the development of a Compton scatter
polarimeter for measuring the polarization of hard X-rays (50-300 keV)
from solar flares.  A simple design has been prototyped in the
laboratory.  Results from test measurements with the laboratory
prototype will be shown, along with comparisons to Monte Carlo
simulations.  These include data on the effective area and
polarization sensitivity, both as a function of energy and as a
function of incidence angle.  We have further developed a new more
modular design, based on a scintillating fiber array coupled to a
position-sensitive PMT.  This compact design may be well-suited to a
variety of astrophysical applications.  An extensive series of Monte
Carlo simulations has been performed to characterize this design.  We
shall review the results of these simulations and discuss the
sensitivity of such a device to various astrophysical sources.
Finally, we will review the status of our development effort.




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Poster or Oral presentation preferred? Poster
Contact person: Dr. Mark McConnell
Address:	Space Science Center
		Morse Hall
		University of New Hampshire
City:		Durham
State:		NH	
Code:		03824
Country:	USA
Phone:		603-862-2047
FAX:		603-862-4685
email:		Mark.McConnell@unh.edu

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