AI 中文总结
研究天体物理X射线偏振测量，此前相关测量少。IXPE于2007年提出、2017年获资助，介绍了其有效载荷和航天器设计等情况，为X射线偏振测量提供了高灵敏度成像方案，推动该领域发展。
AI 中文摘要
1971年，哥伦比亚大学的一个团队在一次短暂的探空火箭飞行中检测到来自蟹状星云的偏振X射线，约为3西格玛水平，后经OSO - 8卫星在1976/77年高精度（大于20西格玛）确认，标志着天体物理X射线偏振测量的真正开端。自那时起至IXPE发射前，额外测量极少。X射线偏振测量要求高，需在偏振敏感探测器中收集超10^6个光子。IXPE于2007年首次以当前形式提出，2017年获资助，适合该研究。本文描述了IXPE有效载荷和航天器的设计、建造、测试、发射、调试活动、科学运行，以及IXPE科学的概述，最后给出了天文台现状及未来运行前景。
英文摘要
In 1971 a group from Columbia University detected polarized X rays from the Crab Nebula at about 3 sigma level during a short sounding rocket flight (Novick et al. (1972)). This measurement, later confirmed to high precision (greater than 20 sigma) by the OSO-8 satellite in 1976/77 (Weisskopf et al. (1978)) marks the real beginning of astrophysical X-ray polarimetry. Since then and before the launch of IXPE, surprisingly few additional measurements had been made. X-ray polarimetry is a demanding field of study. To achieve per-cent-level polarization sensitivity, the collection of more than 1E6 photons in a polarization-sensitive detector is required. As most cosmic X-ray sources are much fainter than the Crab, to do a systematic study of the X-ray sky demands a highly-sensitive payload and a dedicated mission. Further, as the expected polarization will vary with location in extended sources, such as supernovae and pulsar wind nebula, it is vital that the polarimeter should be imaging. First proposed in its current form in 2007, and selected for funding in 2017, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) fits this bill. In this chapter we describe: the design and construction of the IXPE payload and spacecraft; its testing and launch; commissioning activities; science operations and; a high-level overview of IXPE science to date. Finally, we conclude with the current status of the Observatory (as of 2025) and prospects for continued operations.
Comments45 pages, 10 figures, 9 tables. Invited chapter for the edited book "X-ray Polarimetry: Detection, Observations, Modeling and the Future" (Eds. Honghui Liu and Adam Ingram), Springer Singapore, expected in 2026
