Diamond-turned lacquer-coated soft x-ray telescope mirrors

Area of Science:

• X-ray astronomy
• Astrophysical instrumentation

Background:

• X-ray astronomy requires moderate angular resolution telescopes for detector development.
• Cost constraints of low-cost flight opportunities pose a challenge for telescope development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective manufacturing process for X-ray telescopes with minute of arc angular resolution.
• To demonstrate the capability of these telescopes on sounding rocket missions.

Main Methods:

• Precision diamond mirror turning
• Mechanical polishing
• Lacquer coating and metal deposition techniques
• Wolter I optic design

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of an 80 cm diameter Wolter I telescope.
• Achieved minute of arc angular resolution.
• Calibration results reported for a flight aboard an Aries sounding rocket.

Conclusions:

• The developed manufacturing process enables the production of moderate-cost, high-resolution X-ray telescopes.
• This technology is suitable for low-cost space missions like sounding rockets.
• The results pave the way for enhanced X-ray observational capabilities.