Astronomical x-ray reflection gratings and the Rockets for Extended-source X-ray Spectroscopy
Abstract
Astronomical X-ray diffraction gratings are a key technology under development for current and future NASA missions. Here we seek to leverage exiting electron-beam lithographic techniques to produce a reflection grating with a groove pattern capable of high resolving power. We then introduce ion-milling techniques to create custom groove profiles capable of high diffraction efficiency. The goal is to produce a radial groove pattern with precisely blazed facets that are customizable based on ion mill input parameters. The process should be insensitive to groove density, facet size, and desired facet angle. We present here initial results and discuss experimental verification and future work. The Rockets for Extended-source X-ray Spectroscopy (tREXS) are a series of suborbital rocket payloads being developed at The Pennsylvania State University to utilize advancements in grating development. The tREXS science instrument is a soft X-ray grating spectrometer that will provide a large field-of-view and unmatched spectral resolving power for extended sources. Each instrument channel consists of a passive, mechanical focusing optic and an array of reflection gratings. The focal plane consists of an array of CIS113 CMOS sensors. tREXS I is being developed for a launch in 2021 to observe diffuse soft X-ray emission from the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. An analysis of instrument optics, gratings, and focal plane camera is discussed.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
- Pub Date:
- January 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AAS...23537315M