A New Type of Crystal Spectrometer for Solar X-ray Studies

Abstract

A new type of crystal spectrometer for the study of the solar X-ray spectrum is described. Previous solar X-ray crystal spectrometers have required a scanning mechanism to move both the crystal and the detector so that the required range of wavelengths may be covered. By employing a crystal bent in the plane of dispersion, a range of wavelengths may be studied simultaneously by registering the dispersed spectrum with a position sensitive X-ray detector. Details of the instrument are presented together with some solar X-ray data obtained in an early flight of the device.