A Compton polarimeter for Parametric X-radiation

A compact 90 degrees -Compton scatter polarimeter has been developed to be used for energy resolved linear polarization analysis of Parametric X-radia tion (PXR) in the energy range below 10 keV. The polarimeter employs thermo electrically cooled silicon drift detectors. The polarization sensitivity a nd instrumental asymmetries of the polarimeter have been studied with synch rotron radiation at energies from 6 to 11 keV. The analyzing power is close to unity in agreement with expectations and Monte Carlo simulation results . Instrumental asymmetries of a few percent have been measured and correcte d with residual statistical uncertainties of O (10(-3)). The orientation of the polarization plane is determined to be within 4m. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.