The X-ray large aray. II - Implementation

Abstract

The design of the X-ray Large Array (XLA) which is to be assembled and operated in space is discussed. The XLA is a 100 sq m array of 64 detector modules with a total of 512 detectors, each similar to the ones flown on the HEAO-1 spacecraft, packaged in groups of eight to form a module. The XLA will be able to deal with many extremely fast processes which occur in compact X-ray sources and will be used to study black hole candidates; its fine time resolution will make it possible to resolve the spatial structure of celestial X-ray sources using lunar occulatation, the angular structure of quasars, and active galactic nuclei. Details of the XLA configuration, and the assembly and packaging options are described together with systems requirements. Multiple configuration diagrams are included.