Science from "Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS)" - Proposed payload onboard Indian satellite

Abstract

It is proposed to fly a high spectral and temporal resolution "Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS)" onboard Indian satellite to understand the mechanisms of energy release and particle acceleration in solar flares. The SOXS will provide the disk integrated flux in the energy range 2 keV-10 MeV. The proposed SOXS will consist of two detector modules - SOXS Low Energy Detector (SLD) and SOXS High Energy Detector (SHD). The proposed instrument will enable us to measure precisely the low energy cut-off below 60 keV to estimate the total energy release in the flare. It is proposed that high spectral and temporal resolution efficiencies of our detectors will reveal, perhaps for the first time, the observed break below 60 keV in the characteristic double power-law shape of hard X-ray spectrum. Whether electrons and protons are accelerated simultaneously may be also answered by correlating high temporal spectra of SLD and SHD. The high temporal and sub-keV resolution spectra from SLD will be capable to investigate the nature of micro/nano flares considered responsible to heat the chromosphere and corona. It is proposed to use the observations from this space borne instrument, along with extensive simultaneous ground based high spatial and time resolution observations in optical and radio wavebands for better understanding of the flare phenomena.