The thin film coating technology for the European Space Agency mission, Advanced Telescope for High-Energy Astrophysics (Athena) has been established. The X-ray optics of the Athena telescope is based on Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) technology which is enhanced by the thin film coatings deposited on the reflective surface of the SPO plates. In this work, we present a literature study of the coating process parameter space and provide an overview of the thin film properties with a focus on micro roughness, chemical composition and wear resistance when deposited under various process conditions. We determined, that the thin film density depends strongly on the mobility of the adatoms on the substrate surface. Some coating process parameters, which have a significant impact on the adatom mobility are the discharge voltage, the working gas pressure and the substrate temperature.

The effect of deposition process parameters on thin film coatings for the Athena X-ray optics

We present a teaching concept which combines theory, experimental work, project management and organization. As part of the Earth and Space Physics and Engineering education at DTU Space, a group of first year undergraduate students were given the task to design, build and test a DC magnetron sputtering system within a very limited budget and time frame. The teaching concept is designed to promote the students’ autonomous learning, and a major part of the project was to teach the students how to develop group dynamics successfully. The students successfully managed to build a direct current magnetron sputtering system wherein a plasma glow was produced. The system can be used for depositing thin film coatings, an enabling technology for numerous applications.

Daniel Haugbølle

Papers

Hands-on project aimed at technical education: Realizing a DC magnetron sputtering system