Polarimetry of $\gamma$-Rays Converting to $e^+e^-$ Pairs with Silicon-Pixel-Based Telescopes

Abstract

There are serious prospects that the next $\gamma$-ray space mission could use a telescope based on silicon pixel detectors. I characterize the potential of such active targets for polarimetry with gamma-ray conversions to pairs and find it excellent both in terms of selection efficiency and of effective polarization asymmetry.