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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

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Applying X-ray Imaging Crystal Spectroscopy for Use as a High Temperature Plasma Diagnostic
Published on: August 25, 2016
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Hard x-ray telescopes to be onboard ASTRO-H
Applied Optics
|November 18, 2014
Summary
The ASTRO-H mission
Area of Science:
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- X-ray Optics
Background:
- The ASTRO-H mission aims to advance hard X-ray astronomy.
- Hard X-ray telescopes are crucial for studying high-energy cosmic phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the design and performance of the Hard X-ray Telescopes (HXTs) for ASTRO-H.
- To verify if the HXTs meet their stringent effective area and angular resolution requirements.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing conically approximated thin-foil Wolter-I optics with Pt/C depth-graded multilayers.
- Employing tightly nested foil configurations to maximize effective area.
- Conducting performance measurements at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility.
Main Results:
- Fabrication of two HXTs completed, meeting design specifications.
- Achieved angular resolutions of 1.9' (HXT-1) and 1.8' (HXT-2) at 30 keV.
- Total effective area of 349 cm² at 30 keV, exceeding the >300 cm² requirement.
Conclusions:
- The HXTs for ASTRO-H have been successfully fabricated and tested.
- The telescopes demonstrate excellent hard X-ray performance, crucial for the mission's scientific goals.
- The achieved performance ensures ASTRO-H's capability for advanced hard X-ray observations.
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