StokeSat: A SmallSat Mission for Soft X-ray Polarimetry

Casey DeRoo, PhD

Polarimetric measurements in the soft X-ray (100 – 500 eV) are theorized to be a powerful discriminator between physical models describing astronomical sources with extreme magnetic fields. For example, soft X-ray polarimetry may provide insight into whether the relativistic jets in supermassive black holes are powered by magnetic fields or the kinetic energy of baryonic matter.

StokeSat is a soft X-ray polarimetry mission designed to address these science questions. Proposed to NASA’s Pioneers program, it features a soft X-ray polarimeter using slumped glass mirrors made at the University of Iowa, multilayer coatings performed by Marshall Space Flight Center, and an X-ray camera system built by XCAM Ltd. We discuss a conceptual optical design for a Bragg reflection polarimeter, detail its expected performance as predicted via ray-tracing, and present results of the technology development program we’ve undertaken to mature the mission concept.

To participate in this event virtually via Zoom, go to https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/6449961139.