Lacquer polishing of x-ray optics

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• X-ray Technology

Background:

• Figured X-ray optics require precise surface finishing for optimal performance.
• Traditional polishing methods can be time-consuming and may not effectively address specific surface roughness scales.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a new lacquer-coating technique for polishing figured X-ray optics.
• To evaluate the optical quality and surface smoothing capabilities of the lacquer coating.
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of depositing tungsten films on the coated optics for enhanced X-ray reflectivity.

Main Methods:

• Application of an acrylic lacquer coating to figured X-ray optics.
• Characterization of the optical quality of the lacquer coating (achieving an eighth wave in red light).
• Assessment of the coating's ability to cover surface roughness with spatial wavelengths less than approximately 0.2 mm.
• Deposition of tungsten films onto the lacquer-coated surfaces.

Main Results:

• The acrylic lacquer coating achieved an optical quality of an eighth wave in red light.
• The coating effectively covered surface roughness with spatial wavelengths below ~0.2 mm.
• Tungsten films deposited on the lacquer coatings provided highly efficient X-ray reflectivity.

Conclusions:

• The described lacquer-coating process is an effective technique for polishing figured X-ray optics.
• This method significantly improves surface quality and enhances X-ray optical performance.
• The technique offers a viable approach for creating high-performance X-ray optics.