Recent advances and low cost concept for the gamma-ray lens project MAX

Abstract

Until recently, focusing of gamma-radiation was regarded as an impracticable task. Today, gamma-ray lenses have become feasible and present promising perspectives for future instrumentation. For the first time in high energy astronomy the signal/noise ratio will be dramatically improved as gamma-rays are collected on the large area of a lens from where they are focused onto a small detector. Besides an unprecedented sensitivity, MAX will feature very high angular and energy resolution. The conjunction of this new technique of Gamma Ray focusing and the new possibilities brought by the developping formation flying technology will allow a great step for Gamma Astronomy. This paper will describe after a short recall of the scientific objectives of MAX, the design of the MAX formation flying concept and the associated main design drivers and constraint.