Publication date: Oct 2012
Abstract:
High-time-resolution X-ray observations of compact objects provide
direct access to strong-field gravity, to the equation of state of
ultradense matter and to black hole masses and spins. A 10
m2-class instrument in combination with good spectral
resolution is required to exploit the relevant diagnostics and answer
two of the fundamental questions of the European Space Agency (ESA)
Cosmic Vision Theme „Matter under extreme conditions“, namely: does
matter orbiting close to the event horizon follow the predictions of
general relativity? What is the equation of state of matter in neutron
stars? The Large Observatory For X-ray Timing (LOFT), selected by ESA as
one of the four Cosmic Vision M3 candidate missions to undergo an
assessment phase, will revolutionise the study of collapsed objects in
our galaxy and of the brightest supermassive black holes in active
galactic nuclei. Thanks to an innovative design and the development of
large-area monolithic silicon drift detectors, the Large Area Detector
(LAD) on board LOFT will achieve an effective area of ~12 m2
(more than an order of magnitude larger than any spaceborne predecessor)
in the 2-30 keV range (up to 50 keV in expanded mode), yet still fits a
conventional platform and small/medium-class launcher. With this large
area and a spectral resolution of <260 eV, LOFT will yield
unprecedented information on strongly curved spacetimes and matter under
extreme conditions of pressure and magnetic field strength.
Authors:
Feroci, M.; Stella, L.; van der Klis, M.; Courvoisier, T. J. -L.; Hernanz, M.; Hudec, R.; Santangelo, A.; Walton, D.; Zdziarski, A.; Barret, D.; Belloni, T.; Braga, J.; Brandt, S.; Budtz-Jørgensen, C.; Campana, S.; den Herder, J. -W.; Huovelin, J.; Israel, G. L.; Pohl, M.; Ray, P.; Vacchi, A.; Zane, S.; Argan, A.; Attinà, P.; Bertuccio, G.; Bozzo, E.; Campana, R.; Chakrabarty, D.; Costa, E.; De Rosa, A.; Del Monte, E.; Di Cosimo, S.; Donnarumma, I.; Evangelista, Y.; Haas, D.; Jonker, P.; Korpela, S.; Labanti, C.; Malcovati, P.; Mignani, R.; Muleri, F.; Rapisarda, M.; Rashevsky, A.; Rea, N.; Rubini, A.; Tenzer, C.; Wilson-Hodge, C.; Winter, B.; Wood, K.; Zampa, G.; Zampa, N.; Abramowicz, M. A.; Alpar, M. A.; Altamirano, D.; Alvarez, J. M.; Amati, L.; Amoros, C.; Antonelli, L. A.; Artigue, R.; Azzarello, P.; Bachetti, M.; Baldazzi, G.; Barbera, M.; Barbieri, C.; Basa, S.; Baykal, A.; Belmont, R.; Boirin, L.; Bonvicini, V.; Burderi, L.; Bursa, M.; Cabanac, C.; Cackett, E.; Caliandro, G. A.; Casella, P.; Chaty, S.; Chenevez, J.; Coe, M. J.; Collura, A.; Corongiu, A.; Covino, S.; Cusumano, G.; D’Amico, F.; Dall’Osso, S.; De Martino, D.; De Paris, G.; Di Persio, G.; Di Salvo, T.; Done, C.; Dovčiak, M.; Drago, A.; Ertan, U.; Fabiani, S.; Falanga, M.; Fender, R.; Ferrando, P.; Della Monica Ferreira, D.; Fraser, G.; Frontera, F.; Fuschino, F.; Galvez, J. L.; Gandhi, P.; Giommi, P.; Godet, O.; Göǧüș, E.; Goldwurm, A.; Götz, D.; Grassi, M.; Guttridge, P.; Hakala, P.; Henri, G.; Hermsen, W.; Horak, J.; Hornstrup, A.; in’t Zand, J. J. M.; Isern, J.; Kalemci, E.; Kanbach, G.; Karas, V.; Kataria, D.; Kennedy, T.; Klochkov, D.; Kluźniak, W.; Kokkotas, K.; Kreykenbohm, I.; Krolik, J.; Kuiper, L.; Kuvvetli, I.; Kylafis, N.; Lattimer, J. M.; Lazzarotto, F.; Leahy, D.; Lebrun, F.; Lin, D.; Lund, N.; Maccarone, T.; Malzac, J.; Marisaldi, M.; Martindale, A.; Mastropietro, M.; McClintock, J.; McHardy, I.; Mendez, M.; Mereghetti, S.; Miller, M. C.; Mineo, T.; Morelli, E.; Morsink, S.; Motch, C.; Motta, S.; Muñoz-Darias, T.; Naletto, G.; Neustroev, V.; Nevalainen, J.; Olive, J. F.; Orio, M.; Orlandini, M.; Orleanski, P.; Ozel, F.; Pacciani, L.; Paltani, S.; Papadakis, I.; Papitto, A.; Patruno, A.; Pellizzoni, A.; Petráček, V.; Petri, J.; Petrucci, P. O.; Phlips, B.; Picolli, L.; Possenti, A.; Psaltis, D.; Rambaud, D.; Reig, P.; Remillard, R.; Rodriguez, J.; Romano, P.; Romanova, M.; Schanz, T.; Schmid, C.; Segreto, A.; Shearer, A.; Smith, A.; Smith, P. J.; Soffitta, P.; Stergioulas, N.; Stolarski, M.; Stuchlik, Z.; Tiengo, A.; Torres, D.; Török, G.; Turolla, R.; Uttley, P.; Vaughan, S.; Vercellone, S.; Waters, R.; Watts, A.; Wawrzaszek, R.; Webb, N.; Wilms, J.; Zampieri, L.; Zezas, A.; Ziolkowski, J.;