LAXPC

LAXPC stands for Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter. It is a type of X-ray detector commonly used in astronomical research for observing celestial objects emitting X-rays. These instruments are designed to have a large collecting area, which allows them to detect a significant number of X-ray photons, thus enhancing their sensitivity. The proportional counter design relies on the principle of gas ionization. When X-ray photons enter the detector, they interact with a gas within a sealed chamber, creating electron-ion pairs. An electric field is applied, causing these charged particles to drift towards collection electrodes. The number of charge carriers produced is proportional to the energy of the incoming X-ray photon, allowing for both counting and energy measurement. LAXPC instruments are often employed on space-based observatories due to the need to avoid atmospheric absorption of X-rays. Their large area makes them particularly useful for studying faint X-ray sources or for surveying large regions of the sky. They have contributed to numerous discoveries in high-energy astrophysics, helping scientists understand phenomena such as black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei. The development of LAXPC technology has been crucial in advancing our understanding of the high-energy universe.