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XMM-Newton Calibration Documentation

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Summaries of recent status of the calibrations are available; Look for the Current Calibration File (CCF) and the for its Release Notes for further details on the implementation of the calibrations.



General

Document Reference Title Date Comments
XMM-SOC-CAL-PL-0001 Routine Calibration Plan Sep 2011  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0052 Status of XMM-Newton instruments cross-calibration with SASv7.1 Dec 2010  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0062 Health and cleanliness of the XMM-Newton science payload since launch Aug 2005 SPIE 5898-29
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0061 Crab: the standard X-ray candle with all (modern) X-ray satellites Aug 2005 SPIE 5898-3
XMM-PS-GM-20 Calibration Access and Data Handbook May 2011 Detailed description of calibration data files & algorithms for processing ODF's with SAS 11.0. Online Handbook available
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0055 XMM-Newton (cross) calibration SPIE paper 2004 Jun 2004  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0045 Timing accuracy and capabilities of XMM-Newton Feb 2004 Paper on timing capabilities of the diverse XMM-Newton instruments
XMM-CAL-TN-25 Procedures for updating CCF components Aug 2002 CCF release procedure and interaction with SAS CCB 
XMM-SOC-CAL-MIN-0002 Minutes of first Radiation Workshop (29-11-2000 to 1-12-2000) Dec 2000  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0014 Evaluation of Tests of SIAM version 7 during Revolution 185 Dec 2000  


X-Ray Telescopes Specific

Document Reference Title Date Comments
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0054 In-orbit Vignetting Calibrations of XMM-Newton Telescopes Mar 2004  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0029 In flight calibration of the PSF for the PN camera Jun 2002  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0022 In flight calibration of the PSF for the MOS1 and MOS2 cameras Oct 2001  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0011
(CEA/SACLAY SAp)
In-flight vignetting calibration of the MOS cameras Aug 2000 In-orbit verification of the telescope + grating vignetting function. 
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0009
(SPIE 2000b)
In-orbit calibration of the XMM-Newton Telescopes Jul 2000 In-orbit calibration status of the X-ray Telescopes. 
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0005
SPIE 2000a)
Imaging performance of the XMM-Newton X-ray Telescopes Feb 2000 In-orbit assessment of the X-ray Telescopes PSFs 
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0003
(SPIE 1998b)
Calibration of the XMM Flight Mirror Modules - Effective area Jul 1998 Effective area ground calibration of the first X-ray Telescope. 
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0002
(SPIE 1998a)
Calibration of the XMM Flight Mirror Modules - Image Quality Jul 1998 PSF ground calibration of the first X-ray Telescope.


European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) Specific

Document Reference Title Date Comments
Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2011, 534, 34 A New Comprehensive 2-D Model of the Point Spread Functions of the XMM-Newton EPIC Telescopes Oct 2011 Description of the PSF ELLBETA model
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0018 EPIC status of calibration and data analysis Nov 2011 Summary of EPIC calibration status
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0083 Evaluation of the spectral calibration accuracy in EPIC-pn fast modes Jan 2012 Aligned to SAS v11.0 and EPIC-pn CTI CCF#22
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0082 Accuracy of energy reconstruction in EPIC-MOS Timing Mode Apr 2009 Aligned to SAS v8.0
Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2009, 496, 879 Statistical evaluation of the flux cross-calibration of the XMM-Newton EPIC cameras Mar 2009 Based on 2XMM catalogue sources
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0051 PN Optical Loading Jul 2008 Systematic analysis of optical loading in EPIC-PN
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0073 Bright source X-ray spectroscopy with XMM-Newton: A modified EPIC-pn Timing mode Jun 2007 Performaces and calibration of the Modified Timing Mode
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0069 The XMM-Newton view of the Crab Jul 2006 Guidance for data reduction in EPIC pn-Burst mode
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0068 The EPIC pn-CCD detector aboard XMM-Newton: Status of the background calibration May 2006 Freyberg et al., SPIE 5165-13
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0067 The XMM-Newton EPIC pn Camera: Spectral and temporal properties of the internal background May 2006 Freyberg et al., "New visions of the X-ray Universe" Symposium
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0066 The XMM-Newton EPIC pn Camera: Spatial distribution of the internal background fluorescence lines May 2006 Freyberg et al., "New visions of the X-ray Universe" Symposium
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0064 Effect of soft flares on XMM-Newton EPIC-pn timing mode data Mar 2006 Calibration of a method implemented in the SAS task epreject
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0081 Comparison of EPIC-pn ground-based and in-orbit calibration measurements Jun 2005 Freyberg et al., 2005, MPE Report 288, 159
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0070 Improving XMM-Newton EPIC-pn at low energies: method & application to the Vela SNR Jul 2004 Calibration of a method implemented in the SAS task epreject
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0050 PN X-ray loading investigation results Mar 2004 Systematic analysis of X-ray loading in EPIC-PN
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0043 MOS optical loading Nov 2003 Systematic analysis of optical loading in EPIC-MOS
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0036 Assessing the EPIC spectral calibration in the hard band with a 3C 273 observation Mar 2003 Out-of-date. However, it includes a method for pile-up correction
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0022 In flight calibration of the PSF for the MOS1 and MOS2 cameras Oct 2001 MEDIUM PSF calibration
Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2001, 365, L110 The European Photon Imaging Camera on XMM-Newton: The MOS cameras Jan 2001 User-level description of the EPIC-MOS camera
Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2001, 365, L18 The European Photon Imaging Camera on XMM-Newton: The pn-CCD camera Jan 2001 User-level description of the EPIC-pn camera
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0001 PHS Tools EPIC Optical Loading Nov 2000 Calculation of effects of optical stray light on the EPIC energy scale calibration
XMM-PS-TN-38 Transmission of the RGA - A Simulation with SciSim Oct 2000 Transmission through the RGA to EPIC as a function of energy
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0012
(EPIC SPIE2000)
In-orbit calibration activities of XMM-Newton EPIC Cameras Aug 2000 Original in-orbit calibration requirements
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0007
(EPIC MOS Orsay v1.2)
EPIC MOS Ground Calibration Description Mar 2000 EPIC MOS Ground Calibration Campaign
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0008
(EPIC PN Orsay v1.1)
EPIC PNFM1 Ground Calibration at Orsay Mar 2000 EPIC PN Ground Calibration Campaign
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0006
(EPIC LUX RE 170)
EPIC MOS CCD RMF Description Feb 2000 EPIC-MOS RMF Functional Form
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0004
(EPIC LUX RE 166)
EPIC MOS CCD Gain Relation Nov 1999 EPIC-MOS gain correction algorithm
   Background-related documents are available under the Background Analysis portal.


Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) Specific

Document Reference Title Date Comments
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0089 An investigation into RGS-pn rectification May 2010 Assessment of the differences between RGS and EPIC-pn spectral models
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0086 RGS small window mode Jun 2010 Pile-up mitigation in a new RGS mode
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0087 RGS Diagnostic Trend Analysis Report 2009 Dec 2009  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0083 Comparison of tools for the analysis of extended RGS sources Nov 2010  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0030 Status of the RGS calibration Feb 2011 General user document on calibration and data analysis status
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0080 Alignment of the RGS1 and RGS2 wavelength axes Apr 2008 Comparison of wavelength measurements by the two spectrometers
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0079 A survey of lines in coronal sources for the RGS wavelength scale Dec 2007 Global multiple-line models of line-rich coronae
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0063 RGS blazar spectra and prospects for an Effective Area correction Oct 2004 RGS response to smooth power-law continuum sources
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0058 Templates for the RGS background Nov 2004 Synthesising RGS model backgrounds from blank fields especially for extended sources
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0046 System Offsets using diagnostics images Aug 2003  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0041 RGS Wavelength Scale Jul 2003 Measurements of lines of coronal X-ray sources are used to establish the accuracy of the RGS wavelength scale
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0024 RGS Status of calibration and data analysis Jan 2002 General user top level document on calibration and data analysis status
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0021 Confirmation of the RGA Self-vignetting Function by a Simulation by SciSim Oct 2001  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0020 First Results from the Monitoring of the RGS Wavelength Scale Aug 2001  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0017 Status of the RGS response Jun 2001  
XMM-PS-TN-38 Transmission of the RGA - A Simulation with SciSim Oct 2000 Transmission through the RGA to EPIC as a function of energy
See also the web pages at SRON and Columbia University for more documents.


Optical Monitor (OM) Specific

Document Reference Title Date Comments
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0033 Calibration Observations using OM  Apr 2005 List of observations 
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0019 Calibration of the XMM-Newton Optical/UV Monitor Telescope (OM) Jan 2011 Status of calibrations 
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0015 Photometric Accuracy of the Optical Monitor  Jan 2001  
XMM-SOC-CAL-TN-0013
(OM A&A)
OM Instrument Paper Nov 2000 OM instrument paper with inflight performance and status of calibration 

XMM-Newton; Europe's X-Ray Observatory
Last update: 20-Jan-2012 by