Low-energy x-ray to soft gamma-ray high-resolution silicon pore optics

Le résumé fourni par la source

Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) is a novel approach, which has been developed for the European Space Agency X-ray observatory Athena, to achieve high-performance x-ray mirrors at low cost and relatively short lead time. The lightweight optics are manufactured from high-quality silicon wafers using mass production semiconductor technology as well as custom fully automated robotic assembly systems. A fully automated 300 mm Ion Beam Figuring machine is used to further improve the optics by correcting thickness inhomogeneities, achieve specific global gradients and reduce the initial surface roughness of the wafers. SPO is a versatile technology, as the design of the mirror plates can be optimized for various applications. Based on our experience and developed techniques for this novel technology different optical designs such as Wolter, Kirkpatrick–Baez, Laue and x-ray interferometry or collimators can be realized for the low-energy x-ray to soft gamma-ray energy range.

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