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Design and Characterization of a Compton Camera Using 3D-CZT Detector Modules with Advanced Signal Processing and Polarimetry for MeV Astrophysics

Project description

Improved tools to study high-energy space phenomena

Astronomers face challenges when studying the MeV gap (0.1-10 MeV energy range) owing to the low sensitivity of current instruments. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the COMPOL-3D project seeks to overcome this by creating a cost-efficient Compton imager using 3D-CZT drift strip detectors that offer high energy resolution at room temperature. These detectors also enable hard X-ray polarimetry, which helps reveal important details about their source. COMPOL-3D will design a prototype Compton telescope to assess how well it can capture images and measure polarisation. Artificial neural networks will be used for real-time signal processing and measurement of radiation interactions.

Objective

The energy range between 0.1 MeV and 10 MeV is called as “MeV gap” in astronomy, primarily due to the low sensitivity of the instruments in this energy range. Compton imaging is the key technique proposed to overcome this challenge. The goal of this project is to design a cost-efficient Compton Imager. CZT detectors have the potential to be game changers when used in a Compton Imager, since they offer good energy resolution at room temperatures. Hence in this project, we plan to design, simulate and calibrate a Compton Camera based on the 3D-CZT Drift Strip Detectors, developed previously at DTU Space, Technical University of Denmark. An additional advantage is that the Compton Imager could be used as a hard X-ray polarimeter, as azhimuthal angle of the Compton scattering depends on the polarization of the incoming photon. Recent observations from the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) have attracted massive interest from the high-energy astrophysical community towards X-ray polarimetry. However, IXPE operates in the soft X-ray band of 2-8 keV, where the thermal processes interlap with non-thermal processes. Hence, a polarimeter in the MeV band where the non-thermal radiative process dominates is of large interest. We plan to design a laboratory model of the Compton telescope using a stacked configuration of 3D CZT detectors and evaluate its imaging and polarimetry performance through simulations followed by experimental validation. The recent development of this detector includes using Artificial Neural Networks for sensor Signal Processing and Real-time measurement of radiation interactions which would also be ideal for this project. The immense expertise of the host supervisor and group in semiconductor detectors would complement the candidate's experience in X-ray polarimetry to accomplish the project.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 247 553,28
Address
ANKER ENGELUNDS VEJ 101
2800 KONGENS LYNGBY
Denmark

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Region
Danmark Hovedstaden Københavns omegn
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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