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Development status of adjustable grazing incidence optics for 0.5 arc second x-ray imaging

Conference Paper

Publications

Complete Citation

  • Reid, Paul B., Aldcroft, Thomas L., Cotroneo, Vincenzo, Davis, William, Johnson-Wilke, Raegan L., McMuldroch, Stuart, Ramsey, Brian D., Schwartz, Daniel A., Trolier-McKinstry, Susan, Vikhlinin, Alexey A., and Wilke, Rudeger H. T. 2013. "Development status of adjustable grazing incidence optics for 0.5 arc second x-ray imaging." from Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series. 8861, https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2026429.

Overview

Abstract

  • We describe progress in the development of adjustable grazing incidence X-ray optics for 0.5 arcsec resolution cosmic X-ray imaging. To date, no optics technology is available to blend high resolution imaging like the Chandra X-ray Observatory, with square meter collecting area. Our approach to achieve these goals simultaneously is to directly deposit thin film piezoelectric actuators on the back surface of thin, lightweight Wolter-I or Wolter- Schwarschild mirror segments. The actuators are used to correct mirror figure errors due to fabrication, mounting and alignment, using calibration and a one-time figure adjustment on the ground. If necessary, it will also be possible to correct for residual gravity release and thermal effects on-orbit. In this paper we discuss our most recent results in operating multiple adjusters, and extending the process from flat test mirrors to cylindrical and conical test mirror segments. A comparison of modeled and measured influence functions is shown. We also present simulation results showing the process is consistent with the achievement of half arcsec imaging.

Publication Date

  • 2013

Authors