Abstract
We describe an approach to build an x-ray mirror assembly that can meet Lynx’s requirements of high-angular resolution, large effective area, light weight, short production schedule, and low-production cost. Adopting a modular hierarchy, the assembly is composed of 37,492 mirror segments, each of which measures ∼100 mm × 100 mm × 0.5 mm. These segments are integrated into 611 modules, which are individually tested and qualified to meet both science performance and spaceflight environment requirements before they in turn are integrated into 12 metashells. The 12 metashells are then integrated to form the mirror assembly. This approach combines the latest precision polishing technology and the monocrystalline silicon material to fabricate the thin and lightweight mirror segments. Because of the use of commercially available equipment and material and because of its highly modular and hierarchical building-up process, this approach is highly amenable to automation and mass production to maximize production throughput and to minimize production schedule and cost. As of fall 2018, the basic elements of this approach, including substrate fabrication, coating, alignment, and bonding, have been validated by the successful building and testing of single-pair mirror modules. In the next few years, the many steps of the approach will be refined and perfected by repeatedly building and testing mirror modules containing progressively more mirror segments to fully meet science performance, spaceflight environments, as well as programmatic requirements of the Lynx mission and other proposed missions, such as AXIS.
Highlights
The importance of x-ray optics to astronomy and astrophysics was recognized before extrasolar x-rays were discovered.[1]
We have described an approach to building an x-ray mirror assembly for the Lynx mission
It should be noted that the approach we have described is capable of implementing every possible optical prescription
Summary
The importance of x-ray optics to astronomy and astrophysics was recognized before extrasolar x-rays were discovered.[1]. Full shells utilize the natural axial symmetry of x-ray optics, minimizing the number of mirror elements that must be fabricated and integrated Their major disadvantages are that they require proportionally large infrastructure to make large-diameter shells, making the process prohibitively expensive if technically feasible at all. The segmented approach has the disadvantage of having to fabricate and integrate a very large number of small mirror segments, sacrificing the natural axial symmetry of x-ray optics. It has the advantage, of making potentially arbitrarily large mirror assemblies without having to build up proportionally large infrastructure. We describe the development of the technology elements to meet Lynx requirements.[18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
