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

该项目旨在开发用于X射线天文学的成像气体闪烁正比计数器。它将被用作定于1993年发射的第四颗日本X射线卫星ASTRO-D上的焦平面仪器。经过两年的研究，我们取得了以下成果。(1)ISPC的设计通过计算机模拟和初步的实验室实验，我们建立了ISPC的基线设计。(2)位置敏感光电管（PSPT）的鉴定试验。PSPT是一种新型光电管，是发展ISPC的关键元件之一。我们对PSPT进行了各种鉴定试验，并得出结论，它可以用于我们的目的。(3)制造ISPC。利用石英窗PSPT，我们建立了一个实验室使用ISPC。在直径为40 mm的区域内，我们获得了极好的能量分辨率（在5.9keV下为8%）和良好的位置分辨率（<1 mm）。我们积累了ISPC的技术知识，并加深了对其中发生的物理过程的理解。我们成功地完成了我们的项目。这些结果将为ASTRO-D计划提供有力的支持。

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.