Optics systems for the home laboratory: caveat emptor

A careful and detailed evaluation of different multilayer optics (Osmic Cross-coupled Max-Flux Optics and Osmic Confocal Max-Flux Optics) compared with MSC/Yale Total-Reflection Mirrors has been completed. This report provides a detailed comparison of usable flux, spectral purity, divergence, beam profile and data quality for these systems. The most striking results have been obtained using either the Osmic #4 or #7 Confocal Max-Flux Optic, which were designed for 0. l and 0.2 mm focal spots, respectively, in conjunction with a 0.3 mm focal spot. These optic configurations provide a 5.8-fold and 8.2-fold increase in flux through a 0.2 mm aperture, respectively, compared with the MSC/Yale Mirrors.