Development of Imaging Gas Scintillation Proportional Counters for Cosmic X-ray Observations

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This project aims at the development of imaging gas scintillation proportional counters (ISPC) for X-ray astronomical use. It will be used as a focal plane instrument on board a fourth japanese X-ray satellite, ASTRO-D, to be launched in 1993. In two years of investigation, we achieved following results.(1) Design of ISPC. Through computer simulations and preliminary laboratory experiments, we established the baseline design of ISPC.(2) Qualification tests for position-sensitive photo-tubes (PSPT). PSPT, a new type of phototube, is one of the key elements for development of ISPC. We carried out a variety of qualification tests of PSPT, and concluded that it can be used for our purpose.(3) Fabrication of ISPC. Using a quartz-window PSPT, we built a laboratoryuse ISPC. We achieved an excellent energy resolution (8% at 5.9 keV) and a good position resolution (< 1mm) over an area of 40mm in diameter. We accumulated technical know-how of the ISPC, and deepened our understanding of physical processes taking place in it.We thus successfully completed our project. These results will give a strong support to the ASTRO-D project.