Background and imaging simulations for the hard X-ray camera of theMIRAXmission

• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stw743
• Publication Date: 2016-04-21T02:01:29Z
• Authors: M. Castro; J. Braga; A. Penacchioni; F. D'Amico; R. Sacahui
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; FOS: Physical sciences; Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics; Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM); 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences

We report the results of detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the performance expected both at balloon altitudes and at the probable satellite orbit of a hard X-ray coded-aperture camera being developed for the MIRAX mission. Based on a thorough mass model of the instrument and detailed specifications of the spectra and angular dependence of the various relevant radiation fields at both the stratospheric and orbital environments, we have used the well-known package GEANT4 to simulate the instrumental background of the camera. We also show simulated images of source fields to be observed and calculated the detailed sensitivity of the instrument in both situations. The results reported here are especially important to researchers in this field considering that we provide important information, not easily found in the literature, on how to prepare input files and calculate crucial instrumental parameters to perform GEANT4 simulations for high-energy astrophysics space experiments.<br/>Revised version accepted for publication on MNRAS<br/>