A Roadmap for Development of Adjustable X-ray Optics for a High Resolution, High Throughput Observatory
Abstract
A next generation observatory with angular resolution comparable to Chandra but greatly increased effective area requires new technology. To launch much larger area within a feasible mass budget we plan to use very thin glass sheets slumped on precision mandrels, or electroformed metal segments, either being of a few arcsec quality. As discussed in the accompanying posters and talk, we plan to adjust the X-ray optics on-orbit to correct the low order figure errors and the gravity release distortions, to achieve resolution of the order of 0.5" FWHM. Currently this is at a technology readiness level 2, with supporting analytical studies showing the feasibility, and with laboratory demonstrations showing that localized displacements of sufficient amplitude can be produced. This poster presents our plan to advance the technology to TRL 6.
This research has been sponsored by NASA contract NNX09AE87G, and a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.- Publication:
-
AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #12
- Pub Date:
- September 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011HEAD...12.3801S