{"title":"DarsakX: A Python package for designing and analyzing imaging performance of X-ray telescopes","authors":"N.K. Tiwari , S.V. Vadawale , N.P.S. Mithun , C.S. Vaishnava , B. Saiguhan","doi":"10.1016/j.ascom.2024.100829","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The imaging performance and sensitivity of an X-ray telescope when observing astrophysical sources are primarily governed by the optical design, geometrical uncertainties (figure errors, surface roughness, and mirror alignment inaccuracies), and the reflectivity properties of the X-ray reflecting mirror surface. To thoroughly evaluate the imaging performance of an X-ray telescope with an optical design similar to Wolter-1 optics, which comprises multiple shells with known geometrical uncertainties and mirror reflectivity properties, appropriate computational tools are essential. These tools are used to estimate the angular resolution and effective area for various source energies and locations and, more importantly, to assess the impact of figure errors on the telescope’s imaging performance. Additionally, they can also be used to optimize optics geometry by modifying it in reference to the Wolter-1 optics, aiming to minimize the optical aberration associated with the Wolter-1 configuration. In this paper, we introduce DarsakX, a Python-based ray tracing computational tool specifically designed to estimate the imaging performance of a multi-shell X-ray telescope. DarsakX has the capability to simulate the impact of figure errors present in the axial direction of a mirror shell. The geometrical shape of the mirror shells can be defined as a combination of figure error with the base optics, such as Wolter-1 or Conical optics. Additionally, DarsakX allows the exploration of new optical designs involving two reflections similar to Wolter-1 optics but with an improved angular resolution for wide-field telescopes. Developed through an analytical approach, DarsakX ensures computational efficiency, enabling fast processing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":48757,"journal":{"name":"Astronomy and Computing","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article 100829"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Astronomy and Computing","FirstCategoryId":"101","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213133724000441","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The imaging performance and sensitivity of an X-ray telescope when observing astrophysical sources are primarily governed by the optical design, geometrical uncertainties (figure errors, surface roughness, and mirror alignment inaccuracies), and the reflectivity properties of the X-ray reflecting mirror surface. To thoroughly evaluate the imaging performance of an X-ray telescope with an optical design similar to Wolter-1 optics, which comprises multiple shells with known geometrical uncertainties and mirror reflectivity properties, appropriate computational tools are essential. These tools are used to estimate the angular resolution and effective area for various source energies and locations and, more importantly, to assess the impact of figure errors on the telescope’s imaging performance. Additionally, they can also be used to optimize optics geometry by modifying it in reference to the Wolter-1 optics, aiming to minimize the optical aberration associated with the Wolter-1 configuration. In this paper, we introduce DarsakX, a Python-based ray tracing computational tool specifically designed to estimate the imaging performance of a multi-shell X-ray telescope. DarsakX has the capability to simulate the impact of figure errors present in the axial direction of a mirror shell. The geometrical shape of the mirror shells can be defined as a combination of figure error with the base optics, such as Wolter-1 or Conical optics. Additionally, DarsakX allows the exploration of new optical designs involving two reflections similar to Wolter-1 optics but with an improved angular resolution for wide-field telescopes. Developed through an analytical approach, DarsakX ensures computational efficiency, enabling fast processing.
Astronomy and ComputingASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICSCOMPUTER SCIENCE,-COMPUTER SCIENCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPLICATIONS
CiteScore
4.10
自引率
8.00%
发文量
67
期刊介绍:
Astronomy and Computing is a peer-reviewed journal that focuses on the broad area between astronomy, computer science and information technology. The journal aims to publish the work of scientists and (software) engineers in all aspects of astronomical computing, including the collection, analysis, reduction, visualisation, preservation and dissemination of data, and the development of astronomical software and simulations. The journal covers applications for academic computer science techniques to astronomy, as well as novel applications of information technologies within astronomy.