TITLE:
Prospects of the Hard X-Ray Instrument POLAR to Measure Polarization of Solar Flares
AUTHORS:
W. Hajdas, T. W. Bao, T. Batsch, I. Britvitch, J. Y. Chai, Y. W. Dong, N. Gauvin, M. N. Kong, R. Kramert, C. Lechanoine-Leluc, Lu Li, J. T. Liu, X. Liu, R. Marcinkowski, S. Orsi, M. Panicca, M. Pohl, N. Produit, D. Rapin, A. Rutczynska, D. Rybka, H. L. Shi, J. C. Sun, J. Szabelski, I. Traceira, R. J. Wang, X. Wen, B. B. Wu, H. L. Xiao, H. H. Xu, Li Zhang, S. N. Zhang, Y. J. Zhang, A. Zwolinska
KEYWORDS:
X-Rays, Solar Flares, Instrumentation, Polarimeters, Modeling, Qualification
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics,
Vol.3 No.2,
January
30,
2015
ABSTRACT: In-depth studies of solar
flares emissions and energy releases include analyses of polarization data. Polarization
gives clear information about mechanisms and processes leading to electron acceleration
and photon production. Despite of many past attempts, the key energy range of
hard X-rays was only rarely explored and results were inconclusive. To large extend
it was due to greater instrumental complications. Currently several novel
polarimeters are either to be employed or under constructions for both balloon
and satellite based observations. The novel hard X-ray polarimeter POLAR is an
instrument developed by a collaboration between Switzerland, China and Poland.
It is primarily designed for high accuracy polarization measurements from the
prompt photon emissions of the gamma-ray bursts. The satellite orientation and
instrument pointing direction make it also capable for precise measurements of
polarization in solar flares. The instrument should fly in near future onboard
of the Chinese Space Station TG2.