Optics for the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (Conference Presentation)

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) was recently selected by NASA for flight in late 2020. IXPE features three identical x-ray telescopes each comprised of a 4-m-focal length mirror module assembly, fabricated at MSFC, that focuses x-rays onto a polarization-sensitive, imaging detector, contributed by Italy. Mirrors and detectors are separated by a deployable boom that sits atop a Ball-Aerospace-provided satellite bus. This presentation will give a brief overview of the IXPE mission with particular emphasis on the mirror module assembly design, fabrication approach, and expected performance. Trades performed to optimize the design within mass and launch-vehicle fairing constraints will be discussed, along with finite element analyses run to optimize the mechanical design. The presentation will also touch on modeling of leakage radiation from off-axis sources outside of the field of view.