The oriented scintillation spectrometer experiment for the gamma-ray observatory

J. D. Kurfess*, W. N. Johnson, R. L. Kinzer, G. H. Share, M. S. Strickman, C. S. Dyer, M. P. Ulmer, D. D. Clayton

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) for the Gamma Ray Observatory is described. OSSE uses four identical NaI(T1)-CsI(Na) phoswich detectors to provide gamma-ray line and continuum detection capability in the 0.05-10 MeV energy range. Additional gamma-ray and neutron detection capability is achieved above 10 MeV. Each detector has a CsI annular shield and a tungsten alloy collimator which define a 5° × 11° (FWHM) field-of-view. The detectors have independent, single-axis orientation systems which permit offset pointing to provide source-background subtraction. The sensitivity for line gamma rays in the 0.05-10 MeV region will be 2-3 × 10-5 photons/cm2-s for a 106-second observation period. The several modes of data acquisition and the emphases for the planned observational program are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)109-112
Number of pages4
JournalAdvances in Space Research
Volume3
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1983

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Geophysics
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)

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