The eXTP (enhanced x-ray timing and polarimetry) mission is a major project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), with a large involvement of Europe. The scientific payload of eXTP includes four instruments: the SFA (spectroscopy focusing array) and the PFA (polarimetry focusing array)—led by China —the LAD (large area detector) and the WFM (wide field monitor)—led by Europe (Italy and Spain). They offer a unique simultaneous wide-band x-ray timing and polarimetry sensitivity. The WFM is a wide field x-ray monitor instrument in the 2-50 keV energy range, consisting of an array of six coded mask cameras with a field of view of 180°x90° at an angular resolution of 5 arcmin and four silicon drift detectors in each camera. Its unprecedented combination of large field of view and imaging down to 2 keV will allow eXTP to make important discoveries of the variable and transient x-ray sky and is essential in detecting transient black holes, that are part of the primary science goals of eXTP, so that they can be promptly followed up with other instruments on eXTP and elsewhere.
The Large Area Detector (LAD) is the high-throughput, spectral-timing instrument onboard the eXTP mission, a flagship mission of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China National Space Administration, with a large European participation coordinated by Italy and Spain. The eXTP mission is currently performing its phase B study, with a target launch at the end-2027. The eXTP scientific payload includes four instruments (SFA, PFA, LAD and WFM) offering unprecedented simultaneous wide-band X-ray timing and polarimetry sensitivity. The LAD instrument is based on the design originally proposed for the LOFT mission. It envisages a deployed 3.2 m2 effective area in the 2-30 keV energy range, achieved through the technology of the large-area Silicon Drift Detectors - offering a spectral resolution of up to 200 eV FWHM at 6 keV - and of capillary plate collimators - limiting the field of view to about 1 degree. In this paper we will provide an overview of the LAD instrument design, its current status of development and anticipated performance.
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