The RPS-1 X-ray CdTe spectrometer onboard the CORONAS-F satellite

Abstract

Some of the results of X-ray observations of the Sun in the energy interval from 3 to 31.5 keV using a semiconductor spectrometer are reported. A brief description is given of the instrument, in which a not deeply cooled cadmium telluride detector is used for the first time for spectrometric measurements under cosmic conditions. The main parameters of the instrument and the technique employed for processing the data are described as well. The capabilities of the spectrometer made it possible to track the evolution of the X-ray spectra of weak solar flares registered under favorable background conditions. It is also shown that the intensity and hardness of the radiation of the quiet Sun increases with the level of its activity.