A sounding rocket utilizing Gaseous Electron Multiplier detectors experienced a strong source of unexpected signal during flight which prevented the acquisition of usable science data. We find that the flight data is well-matched with a simple fluorescence model corresponding to K- and L-emission lines of the materials present inside the payload. Illuminating the payload with a laboratory electron source produces a similar spectrum. The signal appears to be caused by the presence of ionospheric electrons inside the payload being accelerated by our high-voltage X-ray detectors to energies that can cause fluorescence of the payload interior. Future space based missions utilizing high-voltage detectors should consider the dangers of high-altitude electrons as a potential source of background signal. Missions utilizing Gaseous Electron Multiplier detectors may be at particular risk.

中文翻译：

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用于高压空间探测器的诱导 X 射线荧光背景

使用气体电子倍增器探测器的探空火箭在飞行过程中遇到了强烈的意外信号源，这阻止了获取可用的科学数据。我们发现飞行数据与对应于有效载荷内部材料的 K 和 L 发射线的简单荧光模型非常匹配。用实验室电子源照射有效载荷会产生类似的光谱。该信号似乎是由有效载荷内部存在的电离层电子引起的，这些电子被我们的高压 X 射线探测器加速到可以导致有效载荷内部荧光的能量。未来使用高压探测器的天基任务应该考虑高空电子作为背景信号潜在来源的危险。