SmallSat Solar Axion and Activity X-ray Imager (SSAXI). (arXiv:1909.03090v1 [astro-ph.IM])

SmallSat Solar Axion and Activity X-ray Imager (SSAXI). (arXiv:1909.03090v1 [astro-ph.IM])
<a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Hong_J/0/1/0/all/0/1">Jaesub Hong</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Romaine_S/0/1/0/all/0/1">Suzanne Romaine</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Kenter_A/0/1/0/all/0/1">Almus Kenter</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Moore_C/0/1/0/all/0/1">Christopher Moore</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Reeves_K/0/1/0/all/0/1">Katherine Reeves</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Ramsey_B/0/1/0/all/0/1">Brian Ramsey</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Kilaru_K/0/1/0/all/0/1">Kiranmayee Kilaru</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Vogel_J/0/1/0/all/0/1">Julia K. Vogel</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Armendariz_J/0/1/0/all/0/1">Jamie Ruz Armendariz</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Hudson_H/0/1/0/all/0/1">Hugh Hudson</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Perez_K/0/1/0/all/0/1">Kerstin Perez</a>

Axions are a promising dark matter candidate as well as a solution to the
strong charge-parity (CP) problem in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). We describe
a new mission concept for SmallSat Solar Axion and Activity X-ray Imager
(SSAXI) to search for solar axions or axion-like particles (ALPs) and to
monitor solar activity of the entire solar disc over a wide dynamic range.
SSAXI aims to unambiguously identify X-rays converted from axions in the solar
magnetic field along the line of sight to the solar core, effectively imaging
the solar core. SSAXI also plans to establish a statistical database of X-ray
activities from Active Regions, microflares, and Quiet Sun regions to
understand the origin of the solar corona heating processes. SSAXI employs
Miniature lightweight Wolter-I focusing X-ray optics (MiXO) and monolithic CMOS
X-ray sensors in a compact package. The wide energy range (0.5 – 6 keV) of
SSAXI can easily distinguish spectra of axion-converted X-rays from typical
X-ray spectra of solar activities, while encompassing the prime energy band (3
– 4.5 keV) of axion-converted X-rays. The high angular resolution (30 arcsec
HPD) and large field of view (40 arcmin) in SSAXI will easily resolve the
enhanced X-ray flux over the 3 arcmin wide solar core while fully covering the
X-ray activity over the entire solar disc. The fast readout in the inherently
radiation tolerant CMOS X-ray sensors enables high resolution spectroscopy with
a wide dynamic range in a broad range of operational temperatures. SSAXI will
operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit for 1 yr preferably near a solar minimum to
accumulate sufficient X-ray photon statistics.

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