The Constellation-X Spectroscopy X-ray Telescope: recent technology development

Robert Petre; John Lehan; Stephen O'Dell; Scott Owens; Paul B. Reid; Timo Saha; Jeff Stewart; William D. Jones; William Zhang

doi:10.1117/12.671333

15 June 2006 The Constellation-X Spectroscopy X-ray Telescope: recent technology development

Robert Petre, John Lehan, Stephen O'Dell, Scott Owens, Paul B. Reid, Timo Saha, Jeff Stewart, William D. Jones, William Zhang

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6266, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation II: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 62661Q (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671333
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

We describe recent progress in the technology development program for the mirror system for the Constellation-X Spectroscopy X-ray Telescope (SXT). Development of this mirror represents a significant technology challenge, as it must provide a combination of large effective area (3 sq. m) and modest angular resolution (15 arc second half power diameter requirement; 5 arc second goal) with a limited mass allocation. The baseline design incorporates over 200 nested Wolter 1 mirrors. Each of these in turn is segmented in order to simplify handling of the mirrors and facilitate mass production. The X-ray reflecting surfaces are fabricated from thin, thermally formed glass sheets. Production improvements have yielded mirror segments that approach the performance requirement without the need for epoxy replication. A mounting and alignment approach incorporating piezoelectric actuators has been shown to manipulate mirror segments with the required precision without introducing significant distortion. Substantial improvements in metrology methodology have provided insights into the mirror segment forming and alignment processes. We describe the technical advances made over the past year and summarize near-term plans.

Citation Download Citation

Robert Petre, John Lehan, Stephen O'Dell, Scott Owens, Paul B. Reid, Timo Saha, Jeff Stewart, William D. Jones, and William Zhang "The Constellation-X Spectroscopy X-ray Telescope: recent technology development", Proc. SPIE 6266, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation II: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 62661Q (15 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671333

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