Slitless spectrometers can provide both spatial and spectral information of extended objects, such as the Sun, in a single snapshot. The data, however, require unfolding of overlapping spatial and spectral information. Thanks to advances in computer processing speeds, there have been several techniques developed to complete the spatial/spectral unfolding, unlocking the full capability of slitless spectrometers for solar observations. The goal of this talk is to give an overview of the capability of such instruments and demonstrate their usefulness in the next decade of solar observatories and beyond.
Axion is a promising dark matter candidate as well as a solution to the strong charge-parity (CP) problem in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). We describe a new concept for SmallSat Solar Axion and Activity X-ray Telescope (SSAXI) to search for solar axions or axion-like particles (ALPs) and to monitor solar activity over a wide dynamic range. SSAXI aims to unambiguously identify X-rays converted from axions in the solar magnetic field along the line of sight to the solar core, effectively imaging the solar core. SSAXI employs Miniature lightweight Wolter-I focusing X-ray optics (MiXO) and monolithic CMOS X-ray sensors in a compact package. The wide energy range (0.5 - 5 keV) of SSAXI can easily distinguish spectra of axion-converted X-rays from solar X-ray spectra, while encompassing the prime energy band (3 - 4.5 keV) of axion-converted X-rays. The high angular resolution (30 arcsec) and large field of view (40 arcmin) in SSAXI will easily resolve the enhanced X-ray flux over the 3 arcmin wide solar core while fully covering the X-ray activity over the entire solar disc. The fast readout in the inherently radiation tolerant CMOS X-ray sensors enables high resolution spectroscopy over a wide dynamic range with a broad range of operational temperatures. We present multiple mission implementation options for SSAXI under ESPA class. SSAXI will operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit for 1 yr preferably near a solar minimum to accumulate sufficient X-ray photon statistics.
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