The GECAM series of satellites utilizes LaBr_(3)(Ce),LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr),and NaI(Tl)crystals as sensitive materials for gamma-ray detectors(GRDs).To investigate the nonlinearity in the detection of low-energy gamma rays a...The GECAM series of satellites utilizes LaBr_(3)(Ce),LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr),and NaI(Tl)crystals as sensitive materials for gamma-ray detectors(GRDs).To investigate the nonlinearity in the detection of low-energy gamma rays and address the errors in the calibration of the E-C relationship,comprehensive tests and comparative studies of the three aforementioned crystals were conducted using Compton electrons,radioactive sources,and mono-energetic X-rays.The nonlinearity test results of the Compton electrons and X-rays demonstrated substantial differences,with all three crystals presenting a higher nonlinearity for X/-rays than for Compton electrons.Despite the LaBr_(3)(Ce)and LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr)crystals having higher absolute light yields,they exhibited a noticeable nonlinear decrease in the light yield,especially at energies below 400 keV.The NaI(Tl)crystal demonstrated an"excess"light output in the 6-200 keV range,reaching a maximum"excess"of 9.2%at 30 keV in the X-ray testing and up to 15.5%at 14 keV during Compton electron testing,indicating a significant advantage in the detection of low-energy gamma rays.Furthermore,we explored the underlying causes of the observed nonlinearity in these crystals.This study not only elucidates the detector responses of GECAM,but also initiates a comprehensive investigation of the nonlinearity of domestically produced lanthanum bromide and sodium iodide crystals.展开更多
Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is a constellation with four instruments(launch date):GECAM-A/B(10 December 2020),GECAM-C(27 July 2022)and GECAM-D(13 March 2024),which ...Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is a constellation with four instruments(launch date):GECAM-A/B(10 December 2020),GECAM-C(27 July 2022)and GECAM-D(13 March 2024),which are dedicated to monitoring gamma-ray transients in all-sky.The primary science objectives of GECAM include Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs),Soft Gamma-ray Repeaters(SGRs),high energy counterparts of Gravitation Wave(GW)and Fast Radio Burst(FRB),Solar Flares(SFLs),as well as Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes(TGFs)and Terrestrial Electron Beams(TEBs).A series of observations and research have been made since the launch of GECAM-A/B.GECAM observations provide new insights into these highenergy transients,demonstrating the unique role of GECAM in the“multi-wavelength,multi-messenger”era.展开更多
Background Each GECAM satellite payload contains 25 gamma-ray detectors(GRDs),which can detect gamma-rays and particles and can roughly localize the Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs).GRD was designed using lanthanum bromide(LaBr...Background Each GECAM satellite payload contains 25 gamma-ray detectors(GRDs),which can detect gamma-rays and particles and can roughly localize the Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs).GRD was designed using lanthanum bromide(LaBr3)crystal as the sensitive material with the rear end coupled with silicon photomultiplier(SiPM)array for readout.Purpose In aerospace engineering design of GRD,there are many key points to be studied.In this paper,we present the specific design scheme of GRD,the assembly and the performance test results of detectors.Methods Based on Monte Carlo simulation and experimental test results,the specific schematic design and assembling process of GRD were optimized.After being fully assembled,the GRDs were conducted performance tests by using radioactive source and also conducted random vibration tests.Result and conclusion The test results show that all satellite-borne GRDs have energy resolution<16%at 59.5 keV,meeting requirements of satellite in scientific performance.The random vibration test shows that GRD can maintain in a stable performance,which meets the requirement of spatial application.展开更多
Background The Gravitational wave highly energetic Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is dedicated to detecting gravitational wave gamma-ray bursts.It is capable of all-sky monitoring over and discoveri...Background The Gravitational wave highly energetic Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is dedicated to detecting gravitational wave gamma-ray bursts.It is capable of all-sky monitoring over and discovering gamma-ray bursts and new radiation phenomena.GECAM consists of two microsatellites,each equipped with 8 charged particle detectors(CPDs)and 25 gamma-ray detectors(GRDs).Purpose The CPD is used to measure charged particles in the space environment,monitor energy and flow intensity changes,and identify between gamma-ray bursts and space charged particle events in conjunction with GRD.Methods CPD uses plastic scintillator as the sensitive material for detection,silicon photomultiplier array as the optically readable device,and the inlaid Am-241 radioactive source as the onboard calibration means.Conclusion In this paper,we will present the working principle,physical design,functional implementation and preliminary performance test results of the CPD.As a result,the energy range of electron,gamma-ray detection efficiency and dead time are tested to be better than the indexes required through the ground calibration experiment.展开更多
Introduction The main physical objective of the GECAM satellite is to detect gamma-ray bursts,which is related to gravitational waves of double compact object mergers.The GECAM satellite also detects and investigates ...Introduction The main physical objective of the GECAM satellite is to detect gamma-ray bursts,which is related to gravitational waves of double compact object mergers.The GECAM satellite also detects and investigates various bursts of high-energy celestial bodies.Purposes and methods In this study,we designed,developed and calibrated the payload and launched it into orbit with GECAM satellite.The payload consists of the gamma ray detector(GRD,for detecting 4 keV–4 MeV X/γray),the charged particle detector(CPD,for detecting 150 keV–5 MeV charged particle),and the electronic box(EBOX).The all-sky field coverage is achieved via two 229-degree large-area satellites positioned 180 degrees apart and are on opposite sides of the geo-center.Each satellite is equipped with 25 GRDs and 8 CPDs;thus,the satellite can identify charged particle bursts in space.Gamma-ray detectors adopt lanthanum bromide crystal technology combined with silicon photomultipliers.This is the first time that this technology was used massively in space detectors.Conclusions The GECAM satellite can quickly determine the direction of gamma-ray bursts(positioning)via indexing and fitting method,while the transmit variability,energy spectrum and direction of the gamma-ray bursts guide subsequent observations through the Beidou-3 RDSS in quasi-real time.It will play an important role in the study of high energy celestial bursts.展开更多
Purpose The discovery of gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts heralds the era of multi-messenger astronomy.With the adoption of two small satellites to achieve the all-sky monitoring of gamma-ray bursts,the gravit...Purpose The discovery of gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts heralds the era of multi-messenger astronomy.With the adoption of two small satellites to achieve the all-sky monitoring of gamma-ray bursts,the gravitational wave highenergy electromagnetic counterpart all-sky monitor(GECAM)possesses a quasi-real-time early warning ability and plays an important role in positioning the sources of gravitational waves and in subsequent observations.Each satellite of GECAM was fitted with 253-inch-diameter gamma-ray detectors(GRD),covering an energy range of 8–2 MeV.GRDs have adopted silicon photomultiplier tubes(SiPM)in lieu of photomultiplier tubes(PMT)to adapt to the dimensional limitations of micro-satellites.Methods A unique 3-inch circular SiPM array was designed.In this design,646×6 mm chips were arranged evenly in a circular manner with the seams filled with reflecting films,thus achieving satisfactory uniformity of light collection.The integrated pre-amplifier circuit on the back of the SiPM array adopted two-level grouping and summing;further,it achieved a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio.Two high-gain and low-gain channels were adopted to achieve a large dynamic range,and two independent power supply units were used,where each unit can be closed separately,thus improving reliability.Results Performance studies show that this SiPM array meets the requirements of GECAM.Conclusion A 3-inch SiPM array have been developed that uses grouped summation,reflective films,a circular arrangement,two groups of independent power supplies,high-and low-gain signals,differential signal output technologies,etc.This solution can be used not only for GECAM,but also as a general solution for SiPM-based scintillation detectors.展开更多
Background The Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is primarily designed to spot gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.In order to achieve stable observatio...Background The Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is primarily designed to spot gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.In order to achieve stable observations from various astronomical phenomena,the payload performance need to be monitored during the in-orbit operation.Method This article describes the design and implementation of GECAM satellite payload performance monitoring(GPPM)software.The software extracts the payload status and telescope observations(light curves,energy spectrums,characteristic peak fitting of energy spectrums,etc)from the payload data.Considering the large amount of payload status parameters in the engineering data,we have designed a method of parameter processing based on the configuration tables.This method can deal with the frequent changes of the data formats and facilitate program maintenance.Payload status and performance are monitored through defined thresholds and monitoring reports.The entire software is implemented in python language and the huge amount of observation data is stored in MongoDB.Conclusion The design and implementation of GPPM software have been completed,tested with ground and in-orbit payload data.The software can monitor the performance of GECAM payload effectively.The overall design of the software and the data processing method can be applied to other satellites.展开更多
Purpose A charged particle detector(CPD)is one of two main detectors on the GECAM satellite.It was designed to detect charged particles.Electrons and protons are space’s mainly charged particles.So,a research on the ...Purpose A charged particle detector(CPD)is one of two main detectors on the GECAM satellite.It was designed to detect charged particles.Electrons and protons are space’s mainly charged particles.So,a research on the proton detection ability of a CPD and deriving the energy response to charged particles of the CPD in the two designed operating modes is important.Method The proton calibration tests of the CPD under diferent working modes were carried out at the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou.Result and conclusion Through testing and analysis,it was concluded that when CPD works in semi-component mode,it can detect the maximum energy,and when working in full-component mode,it can provide better energy resolution.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(Nos.2022YFB3503600 and 2021YFA0718500)Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Nos.XDA15360102)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12273042 and 12075258).
文摘The GECAM series of satellites utilizes LaBr_(3)(Ce),LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr),and NaI(Tl)crystals as sensitive materials for gamma-ray detectors(GRDs).To investigate the nonlinearity in the detection of low-energy gamma rays and address the errors in the calibration of the E-C relationship,comprehensive tests and comparative studies of the three aforementioned crystals were conducted using Compton electrons,radioactive sources,and mono-energetic X-rays.The nonlinearity test results of the Compton electrons and X-rays demonstrated substantial differences,with all three crystals presenting a higher nonlinearity for X/-rays than for Compton electrons.Despite the LaBr_(3)(Ce)and LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr)crystals having higher absolute light yields,they exhibited a noticeable nonlinear decrease in the light yield,especially at energies below 400 keV.The NaI(Tl)crystal demonstrated an"excess"light output in the 6-200 keV range,reaching a maximum"excess"of 9.2%at 30 keV in the X-ray testing and up to 15.5%at 14 keV during Compton electron testing,indicating a significant advantage in the detection of low-energy gamma rays.Furthermore,we explored the underlying causes of the observed nonlinearity in these crystals.This study not only elucidates the detector responses of GECAM,but also initiates a comprehensive investigation of the nonlinearity of domestically produced lanthanum bromide and sodium iodide crystals.
文摘Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is a constellation with four instruments(launch date):GECAM-A/B(10 December 2020),GECAM-C(27 July 2022)and GECAM-D(13 March 2024),which are dedicated to monitoring gamma-ray transients in all-sky.The primary science objectives of GECAM include Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs),Soft Gamma-ray Repeaters(SGRs),high energy counterparts of Gravitation Wave(GW)and Fast Radio Burst(FRB),Solar Flares(SFLs),as well as Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes(TGFs)and Terrestrial Electron Beams(TEBs).A series of observations and research have been made since the launch of GECAM-A/B.GECAM observations provide new insights into these highenergy transients,demonstrating the unique role of GECAM in the“multi-wavelength,multi-messenger”era.
基金This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant No.11775251the strategic leading science and technology program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDA 15360100,XDA 15360102).
文摘Background Each GECAM satellite payload contains 25 gamma-ray detectors(GRDs),which can detect gamma-rays and particles and can roughly localize the Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs).GRD was designed using lanthanum bromide(LaBr3)crystal as the sensitive material with the rear end coupled with silicon photomultiplier(SiPM)array for readout.Purpose In aerospace engineering design of GRD,there are many key points to be studied.In this paper,we present the specific design scheme of GRD,the assembly and the performance test results of detectors.Methods Based on Monte Carlo simulation and experimental test results,the specific schematic design and assembling process of GRD were optimized.After being fully assembled,the GRDs were conducted performance tests by using radioactive source and also conducted random vibration tests.Result and conclusion The test results show that all satellite-borne GRDs have energy resolution<16%at 59.5 keV,meeting requirements of satellite in scientific performance.The random vibration test shows that GRD can maintain in a stable performance,which meets the requirement of spatial application.
基金This research was supported by the“Strategic Priority Research Program”of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Grant No.XDA 15360102.
文摘Background The Gravitational wave highly energetic Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is dedicated to detecting gravitational wave gamma-ray bursts.It is capable of all-sky monitoring over and discovering gamma-ray bursts and new radiation phenomena.GECAM consists of two microsatellites,each equipped with 8 charged particle detectors(CPDs)and 25 gamma-ray detectors(GRDs).Purpose The CPD is used to measure charged particles in the space environment,monitor energy and flow intensity changes,and identify between gamma-ray bursts and space charged particle events in conjunction with GRD.Methods CPD uses plastic scintillator as the sensitive material for detection,silicon photomultiplier array as the optically readable device,and the inlaid Am-241 radioactive source as the onboard calibration means.Conclusion In this paper,we will present the working principle,physical design,functional implementation and preliminary performance test results of the CPD.As a result,the energy range of electron,gamma-ray detection efficiency and dead time are tested to be better than the indexes required through the ground calibration experiment.
基金This project is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(12173038)the strategic leading science and technology program(XDA 15360100,XDA 15360102)of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
文摘Introduction The main physical objective of the GECAM satellite is to detect gamma-ray bursts,which is related to gravitational waves of double compact object mergers.The GECAM satellite also detects and investigates various bursts of high-energy celestial bodies.Purposes and methods In this study,we designed,developed and calibrated the payload and launched it into orbit with GECAM satellite.The payload consists of the gamma ray detector(GRD,for detecting 4 keV–4 MeV X/γray),the charged particle detector(CPD,for detecting 150 keV–5 MeV charged particle),and the electronic box(EBOX).The all-sky field coverage is achieved via two 229-degree large-area satellites positioned 180 degrees apart and are on opposite sides of the geo-center.Each satellite is equipped with 25 GRDs and 8 CPDs;thus,the satellite can identify charged particle bursts in space.Gamma-ray detectors adopt lanthanum bromide crystal technology combined with silicon photomultipliers.This is the first time that this technology was used massively in space detectors.Conclusions The GECAM satellite can quickly determine the direction of gamma-ray bursts(positioning)via indexing and fitting method,while the transmit variability,energy spectrum and direction of the gamma-ray bursts guide subsequent observations through the Beidou-3 RDSS in quasi-real time.It will play an important role in the study of high energy celestial bursts.
基金This research was supported by the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences,Chinese Academy of Sciences(QYZDBSSW-SLH012)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11775251,11775252)the strategic leading science and technology program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA 15360100,XDA 15360102).
文摘Purpose The discovery of gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts heralds the era of multi-messenger astronomy.With the adoption of two small satellites to achieve the all-sky monitoring of gamma-ray bursts,the gravitational wave highenergy electromagnetic counterpart all-sky monitor(GECAM)possesses a quasi-real-time early warning ability and plays an important role in positioning the sources of gravitational waves and in subsequent observations.Each satellite of GECAM was fitted with 253-inch-diameter gamma-ray detectors(GRD),covering an energy range of 8–2 MeV.GRDs have adopted silicon photomultiplier tubes(SiPM)in lieu of photomultiplier tubes(PMT)to adapt to the dimensional limitations of micro-satellites.Methods A unique 3-inch circular SiPM array was designed.In this design,646×6 mm chips were arranged evenly in a circular manner with the seams filled with reflecting films,thus achieving satisfactory uniformity of light collection.The integrated pre-amplifier circuit on the back of the SiPM array adopted two-level grouping and summing;further,it achieved a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio.Two high-gain and low-gain channels were adopted to achieve a large dynamic range,and two independent power supply units were used,where each unit can be closed separately,thus improving reliability.Results Performance studies show that this SiPM array meets the requirements of GECAM.Conclusion A 3-inch SiPM array have been developed that uses grouped summation,reflective films,a circular arrangement,two groups of independent power supplies,high-and low-gain signals,differential signal output technologies,etc.This solution can be used not only for GECAM,but also as a general solution for SiPM-based scintillation detectors.
基金This work is supported by the Strategic Prior-ity Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant Nos.XDA15360300,XDA15360302 and XDB23040400).
文摘Background The Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is primarily designed to spot gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.In order to achieve stable observations from various astronomical phenomena,the payload performance need to be monitored during the in-orbit operation.Method This article describes the design and implementation of GECAM satellite payload performance monitoring(GPPM)software.The software extracts the payload status and telescope observations(light curves,energy spectrums,characteristic peak fitting of energy spectrums,etc)from the payload data.Considering the large amount of payload status parameters in the engineering data,we have designed a method of parameter processing based on the configuration tables.This method can deal with the frequent changes of the data formats and facilitate program maintenance.Payload status and performance are monitored through defined thresholds and monitoring reports.The entire software is implemented in python language and the huge amount of observation data is stored in MongoDB.Conclusion The design and implementation of GPPM software have been completed,tested with ground and in-orbit payload data.The software can monitor the performance of GECAM payload effectively.The overall design of the software and the data processing method can be applied to other satellites.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Projects:11975257,12074045,11804335).
文摘Purpose A charged particle detector(CPD)is one of two main detectors on the GECAM satellite.It was designed to detect charged particles.Electrons and protons are space’s mainly charged particles.So,a research on the proton detection ability of a CPD and deriving the energy response to charged particles of the CPD in the two designed operating modes is important.Method The proton calibration tests of the CPD under diferent working modes were carried out at the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou.Result and conclusion Through testing and analysis,it was concluded that when CPD works in semi-component mode,it can detect the maximum energy,and when working in full-component mode,it can provide better energy resolution.
