Abstract
The Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) instrument on-board AstroSat has three nominally identical detectors for timing and spectral studies in the energy range of 3–80 keV. The performance of these detectors during the five years after the launch of AstroSat is described. Currently, only one of the detector is working nominally. The variation in pressure, energy resolution, gain and background with time are discussed. The capabilities and limitations of the instrument are described. A brief account of available analysis software is also provided.
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Notes
ID: 20160714_G05_219T01_9000000540
ID: 20171107_A04_024T04_9000001670.
ID: 202190507_SLEW_01234_9000002893.
ID: 20190808_SLEW_01234_9000003079.
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Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the strong support from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in various aspects of instrument building, testing, software development and mission operation and data dissemination. We acknowledge support of the scientific and technical staff of the LAXPC instrument team as well as staff of the TIFR Workshop in the development and testing of the LAXPC instrument.
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This article is part of the Special Issue on “AstroSat: Five Years in Orbit”.
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Antia, H.M., Agrawal, P.C., Dedhia, D. et al. Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) in orbit performance: Calibration, background, analysis software. J Astrophys Astron 42, 32 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12036-021-09712-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12036-021-09712-8