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Proceedings Article•DOI•

Toward Large-Area Sub-Arcsecond X-Ray Telescopes

Stephen L. O'Dell, Thomas L. Aldcroft1, Ryan Allured1, Carolyn Atkins2, David N. Burrows3, Jian Cao4, Brandon D. Chalifoux5, Kai Wing Chan6, Vincenzo Cotroneo1, Ronald F. Elsner, Michael E. Graham4, Mikhail V. Gubarev, Ralf K. Heilmann5, Raegan L. Johnson-Wilke3, Kiranmayee Kilaru7, Jeffery J. Kolodziejczak, Charles F. Lillie, Stuart McMuldroch1, Brian D. Ramsey, Paul B. Reid1, Raul E. Riveros8, Jacqueline M. Roche, Timo T. Saha9, Mark L. Schattenburg5, Daniel A. Schwartz1, Susan Trolier-McKinstry3, Melville P. Ulmer4, Semyon Vaynman4, Alexey Vikhlinin1, Xiaoli Wang4, Martin C. Weisskopf, Rudeger H. T. Wilke3, William W. Zhang9 •
Harvard University1, University of Alabama in Huntsville2, Pennsylvania State University3, Northwestern University4, Massachusetts Institute of Technology5, University of Maryland, Baltimore County6, Universities Space Research Association7, Oak Ridge Associated Universities8, Goddard Space Flight Center9
17 Aug 2014-Proceedings of SPIE (SPIE)-Vol. 9965, pp 996507
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review relevant technological and programmatic issues, as well as possible approaches for addressing these issues, including active (in-space adjustable) alignment and figure correction.
Abstract: The future of x-ray astronomy depends upon development of x-ray telescopes with larger aperture areas (approx. = 3 square meters) and fine angular resolution (approx. = 1 inch). Combined with the special requirements of nested grazing-incidence optics, the mass and envelope constraints of space-borne telescopes render such advances technologically and programmatically challenging. Achieving this goal will require precision fabrication, alignment, mounting, and assembly of large areas (approx. = 600 square meters) of lightweight (approx. = 1 kilogram/square meter areal density) high-quality mirrors at an acceptable cost (approx. = 1 million dollars/square meter of mirror surface area). This paper reviews relevant technological and programmatic issues, as well as possible approaches for addressing these issues-including active (in-space adjustable) alignment and figure correction.

Content maybe subject to copyright    Report

Toward large-area
sub-arcsecond x-ray telescopes
Steve O’Dell
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
and co-authors
2014.08.17 SPIE 9208-5: Toward large-area sub-arcsecond x-ray telescopes 1
Adaptive X-ray Optics III (SPIE 9208)
2014 August 17; San Diego, CA (USA)
Authors represent most of US effort
toward sub-arcsecond x-ray telescopes.
Steve O’Dell
a
, Tom Aldcroft
b
, Ryan Allured
b
, Carolyn Atkins
c
, Dave Burrows
d
,
Jian Cao
e
, Brandon Chalifoux
f
, Kai-Wing Chan
g
, Vincenzo Cotroneo
b
,
Ron Elsner
a
, Michael Graham
e
, Mikhail Gubarev
a
, Ralf Heilmann
f
,
Raegan Johnson-Wilke
d
, Kira Kilaru
h
, Jeff Kolodziejczak
a
, Charles Lillie
i
,
Stuart McMuldroch
b
, Brian Ramsey
a
, Paul Reid
b
, Raul Riveros
j
, Jackie Roche
a
,
Timo Saha
k
, Mark Schattenburg
f
, Dan Schwartz
b
, Susan Trolier-McKinstry
d
,
Mel Ulmer
e
, Semyon Vaynman
e
, Alexey Vikhlinin
b
, Xiaoli Wang
e
,
Martin Weisskopf
a
, Rudeger Wilke
d
, & Will Zhang
k
a
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (USA)
b
Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (USA)
c
University of Alabama in Huntsville (USA)
d
Pennsylvania State University (USA)
e
Northwestern University (USA)
f
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
g
University of Maryland Baltimore County, Goddard Space Flight Center (USA)
h
Universities Space Research Association, Marshall Space Flight Center (USA)
i
Lillie Consulting, with Northrop-Grumman AOA-Xinetics (USA)
j
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Goddard Space Flight Center (USA)
k
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (USA)
2014.08.17 SPIE 9208-5: Toward large-area sub-arcsecond x-ray telescopes 2
Several co-authors are presenting at this
conference.
Steve O’Dell
a
, Tom Aldcroft
b
, Ryan Allured
b
, Carolyn Atkins
c
, Dave Burrows
d
,
Jian Cao
e
, Brandon Chalifoux
f
, Kai-Wing Chan
g
, Vincenzo Cotroneo
b
,
Ron Elsner
a
, Michael Graham
e
, Mikhail Gubarev
a
, Ralf Heilmann
f
,
Raegan Johnson-Wilke
d
, Kira Kilaru
h
, Jeff Kolodziejczak
a
, Charles Lillie
i
,
Stuart McMuldroch
b
, Brian Ramsey
a
, Paul Reid
b
, Raul Riveros
j
, Jackie Roche
a
,
Timo Saha
k
, Mark Schattenburg
f
, Dan Schwartz
b
, Susan Trolier-McKinstry
d
,
Mel Ulmer
e
, Semyon Vaynman
e
, Alexey Vikhlinin
b
, Xiaoli Wang
e
,
Martin Weisskopf
a
, Rudeger Wilke
d
, & Will Zhang
k
a
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (USA)
b
Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (USA)
c
University of Alabama in Huntsville (USA)
d
Pennsylvania State University (USA)
e
Northwestern University (USA)
f
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
g
University of Maryland Baltimore County, Goddard Space Flight Center (USA)
h
Universities Space Research Association, Marshall Space Flight Center (USA)
i
Lillie Consulting, with Northrop-Grumman AOA-Xinetics (USA)
j
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Goddard Space Flight Center (USA)
k
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (USA)
2014.08.17 SPIE 9208-5: Toward large-area sub-arcsecond x-ray telescopes 3
Outline
¾ Motivation and issues
¾ Categories of potential solutions
¾ Actuator technologies under development
2014.08.17 SPIE 9208-5: Toward large-area sub-arcsecond x-ray telescopes 4
Objective
¾ Next major US x-ray astronomy mission will not
likely start until 2020’s, after next Decadal Survey.
¾ X-ray Mission Concepts Study Report (2012.08.13)
“Lightweight optics [HPD < 10s] are the central
technological development that provides an order of
magnitude more collecting area relative to existing
observatories. It is fundamental to all of the notional
missions as well as advancing X-ray Explorer-class
missions in the near term.”
“The next major goal in lightweight optics is to
improve the angular resolution by an order of
magnitude to the sub-arcsec level, a return to Chandra
resolution but with much larger effective area.”
2014.08.17 SPIE 9208-5: Toward large-area sub-arcsecond x-ray telescopes 5
Citations
More filters
Posted Content•
The Lynx Mission Concept Study Interim Report.

[...]

Lynx Team
25 Sep 2018-arXiv: Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
TL;DR: Lynx is the next-generation observatory which will provide unprecedented X-ray vision into the otherwise invisible universe to gain understanding of origins and physics of the cosmos as mentioned in this paper, which will see the dawn of black holes, reveal what drives galaxy formation and evolution, and unveil the energetic side of stellar evolution and stellar ecosystems.
Abstract: Lynx is the next-generation observatory which will provide unprecedented X-ray vision into the otherwise invisible Universe to gain understanding of origins and physics of the cosmos. Lynx will see the dawn of black holes, reveal what drives galaxy formation and evolution, and unveil the energetic side of stellar evolution and stellar ecosystems. Lynx science payload will enables radical advances and leaps in capability over NASA's existing flagship Chandra and the ESA's planned Athena mission: 100-fold increase in sensitivity via coupling superb angular resolution with high throughput; 16 times larger field of view (FOV) for sub-arcsecond imaging; and 10-20 times higher spectral resolution for both point-like and extended sources. The Lynx Design Reference Mission has been designed to meet the science objectives of the future while capitalizing where appropriate on decades of experience, and especially from efficient, flight-proven approaches, design choices, and mission operations software and procedures developed for Chandra. While the science program outlined for Lynx in this report is already very broad, the observatory is designed such that there will be ample resources to execute many other programs, even those not anticipated today. Virtually all astronomers will be able to use Lynx for their own particular science.

52 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Thermal oxide patterning method for compensating coating stress in silicon substrates.

[...]

Youwei Yao1, Brandon D. Chalifoux1, Ralf K. Heilmann1, Mark L. Schattenburg1•
Massachusetts Institute of Technology1
21 Jan 2019-Optics Express
TL;DR: A new method for correcting stress-induced distortion in flat silicon substrates which utilizes a micro-patterned silicon oxide layer on the back side of the substrate, and demonstrates stress compensation control to a precision of ~0.2%.
Abstract: We introduce a novel method for correcting distortion in thin silicon substrates caused by coating stress. Thin substrates, such as lightweight mirrors for x-ray or optical imaging, and semiconductor wafers or flat panel substrates, are easily distorted by stress in thin film coatings. We report a new method for correcting stress-induced distortion in flat silicon substrates which utilizes a micro-patterned silicon oxide layer on the back side of the substrate. Due to the excellent lithographic precision of the patterning process, we demonstrate stress compensation control to a precision of ~0.2%. The proposed process is simple and inexpensive due to the relatively large pattern features on the photomask. The correction process has been tested on flat silicon wafers that were distorted by 30 nm-thick compressively-stressed coatings of chromium, achieving RMS surface height and slope error reductions of a factor of 68 and 50, respectively.

23 citations

Proceedings Article•DOI•
X-ray optics at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

[...]

Stephen L. O'Dell, Carolyn Atkins1, David M. Broadway, Ronald F. Elsner, Jessica A. Gaskin, Mikhail V. Gubarev, Kiranmayee Kilaru, Jeffery J. Kolodziejczak, Brian D. Ramsey, Jacqueline M. Roche, Douglas A. Swartz, Allyn F. Tennant, Martin C. Weisskopf, V. E. Zavlin •
University of Alabama in Huntsville1
13 Apr 2015-Proceedings of SPIE
TL;DR: For example, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) engaged in research, development, design, fabrication, coating, assembly, and testing of grazing-incidence optics (primarily) for x-ray telescope systems as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) engages in research, development, design, fabrication, coating, assembly, and testing of grazing-incidence optics (primarily) for x-ray telescope systems. Over the past two decades, MSFC has refined processes for electroformed-nickel replication of grazing-incidence optics, in order to produce high-strength, thin-walled, full-cylinder x-ray mirrors. In recent years, MSFC has used this technology to fabricate numerous x-ray mirror assemblies for several flight (balloon, rocket, and satellite) programs. Additionally, MSFC has demonstrated the suitability of this technology for ground-based laboratory applications-namely, x-ray microscopes and cold-neutron microscopes and concentrators. This mature technology enables the production, at moderately low cost, of reasonably lightweight x-ray telescopes with good (15-30 arcsecond) angular resolution. However, achieving arcsecond imaging for a lightweight x-ray telescope likely requires development of other technologies. Accordingly, MSFC is conducting a multi-faceted research program toward enabling cost-effective production of lightweight high-resolution x-ray mirror assemblies. Relevant research topics currently under investigation include differential deposition for post-fabrication figure correction, in-situ monitoring and control of coating stress, and direct fabrication of thin-walled full-cylinder grazing-incidence mirrors.

16 citations

Development of Mirror Modules for the ART-XC Instrument

[...]

Mikhail Gubarev1, B. Ramsey, Steve O'Dell, R. F. Elsner, K. Kilaru, Jeff McCracken, M. N. Pavlinsky2, I. Lapshov2 •
Marshall Space Flight Center1, Russian Academy of Sciences2
03 Sep 2012
TL;DR: The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is developing x-ray mirror modules for the ART-XC instrument on board the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma Mission under a Reimbursable Agreement between NASA and the Russian Space Research Institute (IKI) as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is developing x-ray mirror modules for the ART -XC instrument on board the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma Mission under a Reimbursable Agreement between NASA and the Russian Space Research Institute (IKI.) ART-XC will consist of seven co-aligned x-ray mirror modules with seven corresponding CdTe focal plane detectors. Currently, four of the modules are being fabricated by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC.) Each MSFC module provides an effective area of 65 cm2 at 8 keV, response out to 30 keV, and an angular resolution of 45 arcsec or better HPD. We will present a status of the ART x-ray module development at MSFC.

15 citations

Proceedings Article•DOI•
The X-Ray Surveyor mission concept study: forging the path to NASA astrophysics 2020 decadal survey prioritization

[...]

Jessica A. Gaskin, Feryal Özel1, Alexey Vikhlinin2•
University of Arizona1, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory2
01 Aug 2016-Proceedings of SPIE
TL;DR: The X-Ray Surveyor mission concept is unique among those being studied for prioritization in the NASA Astrophysics 2020 Decadal Survey. as mentioned in this paper describes the current status of the X-ray Surveyor Mission Concept Study and the path forward, which includes scientific investigations, technology development and community participation.
Abstract: The X-Ray Surveyor mission concept is unique among those being studied for prioritization in the NASA Astrophysics 2020 Decadal Survey. The X-Ray Surveyor mission will explore the high-energy Universe; providing essential and complimentary observations to the Astronomy Community. The NASA Astrophysics Roadmap (Enduring Quests, Daring Visions) describes the need for an X-Ray Observatory that is capable of addressing topics such as the origin and growth of the first supermassive black holes, galaxy evolution and growth of the cosmic structure, and the origin and evolution of the stars that make up our Universe. To address these scientifically compelling topics and more, an Observatory that exhibits leaps in capability over that of previous X-Ray Observatories in needed. This paper describes the current status of the X-Ray Surveyor Mission Concept Study and the path forward, which includes scientific investigations, technology development, and community participation.

14 citations

References
More filters
Proc of SPIE

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B Krauskopf, K Green
01 Jan 2003

3,254 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
The Swift X-ray Telescope

[...]

David N. Burrows, Joanne E. Hill, John A. Nousek, J. A. Kennea, Alan A. Wells, J. P. Osborne, A. F. Abbey, A. P. Beardmore, K. Mukerjee, A. Short, Guido Chincarini, Sergio Campana, Oberto Citterio, A. Moretti, C. Pagani, Gianpiero Tagliaferri, Paolo Giommi, M. Capalbi, F. Tamburelli, Lorella Angelini, G. Cusumano, Heinrich W. Braeuninger, Wolfgang Burkert, Gisela Hartner 
02 Aug 2005-arXiv: Astrophysics
TL;DR: The Swift Gamma-Ray Explorer (XRT) as mentioned in this paper uses a mirror set built for JET-X and an XMM/EPIC MOS CCD detector to provide a sensitive broad-band (0.2-10 keV) X-ray imager with effective area of > 120 cm^2 at 1.5 keV, field of view of 23.6 x23.6 arcminutes, and angular resolution of 18 arcseconds (HPD).
Abstract: The Swift Gamma-Ray Explorer is designed to make prompt multiwavelength observations of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) and GRB afterglows. The X-ray Telescope (XRT) enables Swift to determine GRB positions with a few arcseconds accuracy within 100 seconds of the burst onset. The XRT utilizes a mirror set built for JET-X and an XMM/EPIC MOS CCD detector to provide a sensitive broad-band (0.2-10 keV) X-ray imager with effective area of > 120 cm^2 at 1.5 keV, field of view of 23.6 x 23.6 arcminutes, and angular resolution of 18 arcseconds (HPD). The detection sensitivity is 2x10^-14 erg cm^-2 s^-1 in 10^4 seconds. The instrument is designed to provide automated source detection and position reporting within 5 seconds of target acquisition. It can also measure the redshifts of GRBs with Fe line emission or other spectral features. The XRT operates in an auto-exposure mode, adjusting the CCD readout mode automatically to optimize the science return for each frame as the source intensity fades. The XRT will measure spectra and lightcurves of the GRB afterglow beginning about a minute after the burst and will follow each burst for days or weeks.

2,104 citations

Proceedings Article•DOI•
Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO): overview

[...]

Martin C. Weisskopf, Harvey Tananbaum1, Leon P. Van Speybroeck1, Stephen L. O'Dell•
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory1
18 Jul 2000-Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation
TL;DR: The Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the x-ray component of NASA's Great Observatories, was launched early in the morning of 1999, July 23 by the Space Shuttle Columbia as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the x-ray component of NASA's Great Observatories, was launched early in the morning of 1999, July 23 by the Space Shuttle Columbia. The Shuttle launch was only the first step in placing the observatory in orbit. After release from the cargo bay, the Inertial Upper Stage performed two firings, and separated from the observatory as planned. Finally, after five firings of Chandra's own Integral Propulsion System--the last of which took place 15 days after launch--the observatory was placed in its highly elliptical orbit of approximately 140,000 km apogee and approximately 10,000 km perigee. After activation, the first x-rays focused by the telescope were observed on 1999, August 12. Beginning with these initial observations one could see that the telescope had survived the launch environment and was operating as expected. The month following the opening of the sun-shade door was spent adjusting the focus for each set of instrument configurations, determining the optical axis, calibrating the star camera, establishing the relative response functions, determining energy scales, and taking a series of `publicity' images. Each observation proved to be far more revealing than was expected. Finally, and despite an initial surprise and setback due to the discovery that the Chandra x-ray telescope was far more efficient for concentrating low-energy protons that had been anticipated, the observatory is performing well and is returning superb scientific data. Together with other space observations, most notably the recently activated XMM-Newton, it is clear that we are entering a new era of discovery in high-energy astrophysics.

459 citations

Journal Article•DOI•
Elliptical x-ray microprobe mirrors by differential deposition

[...]

Gene E. Ice1, Jin-Seok Chung1, Jonathan Zachary Tischler1, Andrew Lunt, Lahsen Assoufid2 •
Oak Ridge National Laboratory1, Argonne National Laboratory2
28 Jun 2000-Review of Scientific Instruments
TL;DR: In this article, a differential coating method is described for fabricating high performance x-ray microfocusing mirrors, which can be modified to produce elliptical surfaces with low roughness and low figure errors.
Abstract: A differential coating method is described for fabricating high-performance x-ray microfocusing mirrors. With this method, the figure of ultrasmooth spherical mirrors can be modified to produce elliptical surfaces with low roughness and low figure errors. Submicron focusing is demonstrated with prototype mirrors. The differential deposition method creates stiff monolithic mirrors which are compact, robust, and easy to cool and align. Prototype mirrors have demonstrated gains of more than 104 in beam intensity while maintaining submilliradian divergence on the sample. This method of producing elliptical mirrors is well matched to the requirements of an x-ray microdiffraction Kirkpatrick–Baez focusing system.

124 citations

Proceedings Article•DOI•
The X-Ray Surveyor Mission: A Concept Study

[...]

Jessica A. Gaskin, Martin C. Weisskopf, Alexey Vikhlinin1, Harvey Tananbaum1, Simon R. Bandler2, Marshall W. Bautz3, David N. Burrows4, Abraham D. Falcone4, Fiona A. Harrison5, Ralf K. Heilmann3, Sebastian Heinz6, Randall C. Hopkins, Caroline A. Kilbourne2, Chryssa Kouveliotou7, Ralph P. Kraft1, Andrey V. Kravtsov8, Randall L. McEntaffer9, Priyamvada Natarajan10, Stephen L. O'Dell, Robert Petre2, Zachary Prieskorn4, Andrew Ptak2, Brian D. Ramsey, Paul B. Reid1, Andrew Schnell, Daniel A. Schwartz1, Leisa K. Townsley4 •
Harvard University1, Goddard Space Flight Center2, Massachusetts Institute of Technology3, Pennsylvania State University4, California Institute of Technology5, University of Wisconsin-Madison6, George Washington University7, University of Chicago8, University of Iowa9, Yale University10
06 Oct 2015-Proceedings of SPIE
TL;DR: The X-ray Surveyor (X-S) as discussed by the authors is a large-scale mission with a high-resolution mirror assembly and an instrument set, which may include an x-ray microcalorimeter, a highdefinition imager, and a dispersive grating spectrometer and its readout.
Abstract: NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory continues to provide an unparalleled means for exploring the high-energy universe. With its half-arcsecond angular resolution, Chandra studies have deepened our understanding of galaxy clusters, active galactic nuclei, galaxies, supernova remnants, neutron stars, black holes, and solar system objects. As we look beyond Chandra, it is clear that comparable or even better angular resolution with greatly increased photon throughput is essential to address ever more demanding science questions—such as the formation and growth of black hole seeds at very high redshifts; the emergence of the first galaxy groups; and details of feedback over a large range of scales from galaxies to galaxy clusters. Recently, we initiated a concept study for such a mission, dubbed X-ray Surveyor. The X-ray Surveyor strawman payload is comprised of a high-resolution mirror assembly and an instrument set, which may include an X-ray microcalorimeter, a high-definition imager, and a dispersive grating spectrometer and its readout. The mirror assembly will consist of highly nested, thin, grazing-incidence mirrors, for which a number of technical approaches are currently under development—including adjustable X-ray optics, differential deposition, and new polishing techniques applied to a variety of substrates. This study benefits from previous studies of large missions carried out over the past two decades and, in most areas, points to mission requirements no more stringent than those of Chandra.

76 citations

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