Fabrication of lightweight silicon x-ray mirrors

Raul E. Riveros; Kim D. Allgood; Michael P. Biskach; Tabatha A. DeVita; Michal Hlinka; John D. Kearney; Ai Numata; William W. Zhang

doi:10.1117/12.2678031

5 October 2023 Fabrication of lightweight silicon x-ray mirrors

Raul E. Riveros, Kim D. Allgood, Michael P. Biskach, Tabatha A. DeVita, Michal Hlinka, John D. Kearney, Ai Numata, William W. Zhang

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12679, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy XI; 126790G (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2678031
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Numerous scientific questions at the forefront of our modern physical understanding require enhanced x-ray astronomical observations beyond the capabilities of existing x-ray telescopes. These observations demand spaceborne x-ray telescopes of unprecedented imaging power. x-ray focusing optics which are simultaneously light weight and of sufficient quality are presently impossible to realize, given real-world constraints and current manufacturing technology. Our group at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) investigates the development of an x-ray mirror manufacturing process capable of meeting the stringent quality, production time, and cost requirements of the next generation of x-ray telescopes. This process employs monocrystalline silicon: a lightweight, stiff, thermally conductive, and readily available material which is free of internal stress. These properties combined make silicon a nearly ideal material for thin mirror substrates. Presently, our process is capable of fabricating sub-arcsecond Half-Power-Diameter (HPD) resolution mirror pairs (primary and secondary) at a sub-millimeter mirror thicknesses and of virtually any x-ray optical design (e.g. Wolter-I, Wolter-Schwarzschild, etc.). Further, the substrates include three-dimensional structures on their backsides to aid their alignment and bonding. The mirror substrate surface quality is generally superior to that of the mirrors on the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This paper describes the various manufacturing steps involved in the production of x-ray mirror substrates and a present status report.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Raul E. Riveros, Kim D. Allgood, Michael P. Biskach, Tabatha A. DeVita, Michal Hlinka, John D. Kearney, Ai Numata, and William W. Zhang "Fabrication of lightweight silicon x-ray mirrors", Proc. SPIE 12679, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy XI, 126790G (5 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2678031

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