High-spectral-resolution x-ray measurements of solar flares and gama ray bursts on two new small satellites

Two new small satellites will be launched in late 1996, each carrying x-ray and gamma-ray detectors capable of high spectral resolution while operating at or near room temperature. The Argentinean Satellite de Aplicaciones Cientificas B (SAC-B) and the Small Spacecraft Technology Institute Clark mission will each carry several arrays of x- ray detectors primarily to study solar flares and gamma ray bursts. Arrays of small (8 mm X 8 mm X 2 mm thick) cadmium zinc telluride detectors will provide x-ray measurements in the 5 - 60 keV range with an energy resolution of 2 - 4 keV. Arrays of both silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and P-intrinsic-N photodiodes will provide energy coverage from 2 to 20 keV with approximately 1 keV resolution. High energy data from 30 to 300 keV will be obtained on SAC-B using CsI(TI) scintillators coupled to silicon APDs, resulting in significant savings in weight, power, and volume relative to conventional CsI- photomultiplier systems.