Scheda SWORDS FINAL




Informazioni generali

PAX-2 Space Weather pOlaRimetry DetectorS

SWORDS

R & D

Progetto

Attività speciale

RSN5

RSN3

Attività: Nuova; Data inizio: 2021; Data fine: 2026

sergio.fabiani sergio.fabiani@inaf.it

Il progetto SWORDS realizzerà strumentazione per la misura della polarizzazione lineare dei raggi X duri dei brillamenti solari per trovare una chiara correlazione con l’occorrenza di Emissioni di Massa Coronale (CME) ed eventi di Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) e per includere la polarimetria dei raggi X nelle reti di forecast di Space Weather, come ad esempio il progetto ASPIS dell’ASI (base dati per lo studio dello Space Weather). Lo studio di fase A della missione CUSP (Cubesat Solar Polarimeter) per una costellazione di due cubesat è stata approvata in risposta al bando per future missioni CubeSat di ASI.

The SWORDS project will built instrumentation for measuring the linear polarization of hard X-rays of solar flares to find a correlation between polarization and the occurrence of Coronal Mass Emissions (CME) Solar Energetic Parts (SEP) events and to include the polarimetry of X-rays in the Space Weather forecast networks, such as the ASI ASPIS project (database for the study of Space Weather). A Phase A study of the CUSP (Cubesat Solar Polarimeter) mission (a constellation of two cubesats) was approved by ASI in the framework of a call for future CubeSat missions.

Sole, mezzo interplanetario, magnetosfere planetarie

Fenomeni non termici, raggi cosmici e astroparticelle

Tecnologie per Astronomia delle Alte Energie

Tecnologie per osservazioni da spazio


Team Summary

15. Personale INAF coinvolto
Numero di partecipanti INAF al progetto: 12
Struttura Nfte N0 TI 2023 TI 2024 TI 2025 TD 2023 TD 2024 TD 2025 Nex Extra
IAPS ROMA 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00
O.A. CATANIA 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0 0.00
Totali 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00
16. Personale Associato INAF coinvolto
Numero di partecipanti Associati INAF: 5
# Struttura TI 2023 TI 2024 TI 2025 TD 2023 TD 2024 TD 2025 Extra
1 IAPS ROMA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
2 O.A. Catania 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
3 IAPS 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
4 INAF-IAPS, Universita' La Sapienza 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Totali 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Fondi a sostegno

21. Totale fondi a disposizione (dato aggregato, k€)
Certi 2023 Certi 2024 Certi 2025 Presunti 2023 Presunti 2024 Presunti 2025
9.0 0.0 0.0 60.0 120.0 120.0

Produzione scientifica e tecnologica

22. Produzione scientifica e tecnologica - Highlights
# DOI Descrizione Azione
1 10.1016/j.asr.2011.09.003 Titolo: The gas pixel detector as a solar X-ray polarimeter and imager Autori:Sergio Fabiani and Enrico Costa and Ronaldo Bellazzini and Alessandro Brez and Sergio Di Cosimo and .... Publisher:Elsevier BV Rivista: Advances in Space Research Anno pubblicazione:2012 Abstract: The Sun is the nearest astrophysical source with a very intense emission in the X-ray band. The study of energetic events, such as solar flares, can help us to understand the behaviour of the magnetic field of our star. There are in the literature numerous studies published about polarization predictions, for a wide range of solar flares models involving the emission from thermal and/or non-thermal processes, but observations in the X-ray band have never been exhaustive. The gas pixel detector (GPD) was designed to achieve X-ray polarimetric measurements as well as X-ray images for far astrophysical sources. Here we present the possibility to employ this instrument for the observation of our Sun in the X-ray band.
2 10.1088/1742-6596/383/1/012013 Titolo: X-ray polarimetry towards high energy and solar science Autori:S Fabiani and R Bellazzini and F Berrilli and R Campana and E Costa and E Del Monte and F Muleri an .... Publisher:IOP Publishing Rivista: Journal of Physics: Conference Series Anno pubblicazione:2012 Abstract: Abstract. In the history of X-ray astronomy the only polarimetric measurement obtained with high significance dates back to the late ’70s, when the Crab Pulsar Wind Nebula was observed. X-ray polarimetry remains a widely unexplored scientific field so far. The new 2–10 keV polarimetry era will be opened by GEMS satellite in the next future, while the extension to higher energies is still a challenging goal. The photoelectric polarimeter Gas Pixel Detector (GPD) could be employed with an Ar based gas mixture to measure the solar flares X-ray polarization up to about 35 keV, while coupling it with a Compton scattering polarimeter it would be possible to extend the energy range of measurements to higher energies.
3 10.1016/j.astropartphys.2012.12.008 Titolo: Characterization of scatterers for an active focal plane Compton polarimeter Autori:Sergio Fabiani and Riccardo Campana and Enrico Costa and Ettore Del Monte and Fabio Muleri and Alda .... Publisher:Elsevier BV Rivista: Astroparticle Physics Anno pubblicazione:2013 Abstract: In this work we present an active Compton scattering polarimeter as a focal plane instrument able to extend the X-ray polarimetry towards hard X-rays. Other authors have already studied various instrument design by means of Monte Carlo simulations, in this work we will show for the first time the experimental measurements of ‘‘tagging efficiency’’ aimed to evaluate the polarimeter sensitivity as a function of energy. We performed a characterization of different scattering materials by measuring the tagging efficiency that was used as an input to the Monte Carlo simulation. Then we calculated the sensitivity to polarization of a design based on the laboratory set-up. Despite the geometry tested is not optimized for a realistic focal plane instrument, we demonstrated the feasibility of polarimetry with a low energy threshold of 20 keV. Moreover we evaluated a minimum detectable polarization of 10% for a 10 mCrab source in 100 ks between 20 and 80 keV in the focal plane of one multilayer optics module of NuSTAR. The configuration used consisted of a doped p-terphenyl scatterer 3 cm long and 0.7 cm of diameter coupled with a 0.2 cm thick LaBr3 absorber.
4 10.1117/1.JATIS.1.4.044006 Titolo: ADAHELI$\mathplus$: exploring the fast, dynamic Sun in the~x-ray, optical, and near-infrared Autori:Francesco Berrilli and Paolo Soffitta and Marco Velli and Paolo Sabatini and Alberto Bigazzi and Ro .... Publisher:SPIE-Intl Soc Optical Eng Rivista: Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems Anno pubblicazione:2015 Abstract: Advanced Astronomy for Heliophysics Plus (ADAHELI+) is a project concept for a small solar and space weather mission with a budget compatible with an European Space Agency (ESA) S-class mission, including launch, and a fast development cycle. ADAHELI+ was submitted to the European Space Agency by a European-wide consortium of solar physics research institutes in response to the “Call for a small mission opportunity for a launch in 2017,” of March 9, 2012. The ADAHELI+ project builds on the heritage of the former ADAHELI mission, which had successfully completed its phase-A study under the Italian Space Agency 2007 Small Mission Programme, thus proving the soundness and feasibility of its innovative low-budget design. ADAHELI+ is a solar space mission with two main instruments: ISODY+: an imager, based on Fabry–Pérot interferometers, whose design is optimized to the acquisition of highest cadence, long-duration, multiline spectropolarimetric images in the visible/near-infrared region of the solar spectrum. XSPO: an x-ray polarimeter for solar flares in x-rays with energies in the 15 to 35 keV range. ADAHELI+ is capable of performing observations that cannot be addressed by other currently planned solar space missions, due to their limited telemetry, or by ground-based facilities, due to the problematic effect of the terrestrial atmosphere.
5 2013MmSAI..84..422F Titolo: A solar flares X-ray polarimeter Autori: Fabiani, S. ; Bellazzini, R. ; Berrilli, F. ; Brez, A. ; Costa, E. ; Muleri, F. ; Pinchera, M. ; Rubini, A. ; Soffitta, P. ; Spandre, G. Publication: Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana Pub Date: 2013 Abstract: The measurement of X-ray polarization from solar flares is a scientific challenge which did not give any exhaustive result so far. X-ray polarimetry would be a probe of the solar flares physics making possible to study directly the magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration in the solar atmosphere of active regions where flares take place. New instrumentation specifically developed to measure the polarization of X-ray is needed to obtain results with adequate significance. The photoelectric polarimeter Gas Pixel Detector (GPD), originally developed to observe astrophysical sources other then the Sun, can address also solar science. The recent development of a new detector prototype effective in the hard X-rays makes suitable this polarimeter to examine the solar flares spectral region in which typically the non-thermal bremsstrahlung emission, expected to be highly polarized, arises with respect to the thermal bremsstrahlung whose polarization is expected to be marginal. The GPD versatility and small size make such an instrument suitable to fly on board of small space missions.
6 10.1117/12.925374 Titolo: Performance of an Ar-DME imaging photoelectric polarimeter Autori:S. Fabiani and R. Bellazzini and F. Berrilli and A. Brez and E. Costa and M. Minuti and F. Muleri a .... Publisher:SPIE Anno pubblicazione:2012 Abstract: The possibility to perform polarimetry in the soft X-ray energy band (2-10 keV) with the Gas Pixel Detector, filled with low Z mixtures, has been widely explored so far. The possibility to extend the technique to higher energies, in combination with multilayer optics, has been also hypothesized in the past, on the basis of simulations. Here we present a recent development to perform imaging polarimetry between 6 and 35 keV, employing a new design for the GPD, filled with a Ar-DME gas mixture at high pressure. In order to improve the efficiency by increasing the absorption gap, while preserving a good parallel electric field, we developed a new configuration characterized by a wider gas cell and a wider GEM. The uniform electric field allows to maintain high polarimetric capabilities without any decrease of spectroscopic and imaging properties. We present the first measurements of this prototype showing that it is now possible to perform imaging and spectro-polarimetry of hard X-ray sources.



Informazioni Pubbliche

X-ray detectors; Polarimeters; Solar instruments; Polarimetry; Space weather; Solar flares; Solar x-ray flares; Solar storm; Solar activity ; Solar coronal mass ejections; Solar energetic particles

<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%">Il gruppo HERTAG presso INAF-IAPS ha una esperienza pluridecennale nell’ambito dell’astrofisica delle alte energie sia in ambito sperimentale, che di follow-up di missioni spaziali con attività di analisi dati. Tra queste la realizzazione del monitor X SuperAGILE, la partecipa alla missione IXPE della NASA (PI della collaborazione Italiana Paolo Soffitta). </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%"><br></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 100%">Il gruppo del laboratorio INAF-COLD presso INAF-OACT ha come principale campo di interesse la fotonica applicata agli strumenti astrofisici. Da circa trent'anni il gruppo INAF-COLD ha promosso e sviluppato una ricerca applicata nel settore dei sensori a stato solido per applicazioni astrofisiche ed ha stabilito un'esperienza pluriennale nella caratterizzazione di sensori elettro-ottici come CCD, IAPS (Intensified Active Pixel Sensor), SPAD, SiPM e nella progettazione di sistemi di controllo correlati.</p> <p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 115% }</style></p>

<p>Laboratorio INAF-COLD e facility per i raggi X presso INAF-IAPS.</p><p>Possibili test di irraggiamento presso facility esterne.<br></p>


15. Team members, Informazioni generali


15. Personale INAF coinvolto

# Nome E-mail Struttura TI Qualifica Ruolo nel Progetto FTE Impegnate (2023/2024/2025) FTE Presunte (2023/2024/2025) Extra
1 sergio.fabiani sergio.fabiani@inaf.it IAPS ROMA Y RICERCATORE Coordinatore X X X X X X X OK
2 ettore.delmonte ettore.delmonte@inaf.it IAPS ROMA Y TECNOLOGO Systems Engineer X X X X X X X OK
3 fabio.muleri fabio.muleri@inaf.it IAPS ROMA Y RICERCATORE Scientist X X X X X X X OK
4 paolo.soffitta paolo.soffitta@inaf.it IAPS ROMA Y PRIMO RICERCATORE Scientist X X X X X X X OK
5 alessandro.dimarco alessandro.dimarco@inaf.it IAPS ROMA N RICERCATORE Scientist X X X X X X X OK
6 john.rankin john.rankin@inaf.it IAPS ROMA N ASSEGNISTA Scientist X X X X X X X OK
7 pasqualino.loffredo pasqualino.loffredo@inaf.it IAPS ROMA N C.T.E.R. Tecnico di laboratorio X X X X X X X OK
8 giuseppe.romeo giuseppe.romeo@inaf.it O.A. CATANIA Y RICERCATORE Scientist X X X X X X X OK
9 alessandro.grillo alessandro.grillo@inaf.it O.A. CATANIA Y TECNOLOGO Scientist X X X X X X X OK
10 pietro.bruno pietro.bruno@inaf.it O.A. CATANIA Y C.T.E.R. Tecnico di laboratorio X X X X X X X OK
11 maria.timpanaro maria.timpanaro@inaf.it O.A. CATANIA Y OPERATORE TECNICO Tecnico di laboratorio X X X X X X X OK
12 francesco.schilliro francesco.schilliro@inaf.it O.A. CATANIA Y PRIMO TECNOLOGO Scientist X X X X X X X OK

16. Personale Associato INAF coinvolto

# Nome E-mail Struttura TI Qualifica Ruolo nel Progetto FTE Impegnate (2023/2024/2025) FTE Presunte (2023/2024/2025) Extra
1 enrico.costa enrico.costa@inaf.it IAPS ROMA Y QUIESCENTE Scientist [0, 0, 0] [0.0, 0.0, 0.0] 0.0
2 giovanni.bonanno giovanni.bonanno@inaf.it O.A. Catania N ASSOCIATO QUIESCENTE Scientist [0, 0, 0] [0.0, 0.0, 0.0] 0.0
3 sergio.dicosimo sergio.dicosimo@inaf.it IAPS N CTER Tecnico [0, 0, 0] [0.0, 0.0, 0.0] 0.0
4 alda.rubini alda.rubini@inaf.it IAPS ROMA N QUIESCENTE Tecnico di laboratorio [0, 0, 0] [0.0, 0.0, 0.0] 0.0
5 fabio.lamonaca fabio.lamonaca@inaf.it INAF-IAPS, Universita' La Sapienza N Dottorando Scientist [0, 0, 0] [0.0, 0.0, 0.0] 0.0

21. Fondi a Sostegno Iniziativa

Proposta di finanziamento PNRR ASI Tematica 15, Space It UP. Spoke 4.


Tabella fondi:

# Provenienza Certi 2023 (k€) Certi 2024 (k€) Certi 2025 (k€) Presun. 2023 (k€) Presun. 2024 (k€) Presun. 2025 (k€) Totale Certi (k€) Totale Presunti (k€)
1 PNRR (tematica 15), Space It UP 0 0 0 60 120 120 0 300


Tabella fondi Astrofisica Fondamentale e PNRR:
# Provenienza Fondi 2023 (€) Fondi 2024 (€) Fondi 2025 (€)
1 INAF - Potenziamento Laboratori Spaziali 9308.6