Status of the qualification model of the x-ray optics for the JET-X telescope aboard the Spectrum X-Gamma satellite

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe Joint European X-ray Telescope, JET-X, is one of the core instruments of the scientific payload of theRussian SPECTRUM-X astrophysics mission.JET-X is designed to study the emission from X-ray sources in the band of 0.3-10 KeV; particularly to meet primary scientific goals in cosmology and extragalactic astronomy. JET-X consists of two identical, coaligned X-ray telescopes, each with a spatial resolution of 30 arcsecond HalfEnergy Width (HEW) or better. Focal plane imaging is provided by cooled X-ray sensitive CCD detectors which will combine high spatial resolution with good spectral resolution, with particular emphasis on high sensitivity andspectral resolution around the 7 KeV Fe-line complex. Each telescope is composed of a nested array of 12 mirrors with an aperture of 0.3 m and focal length of 3 .5 m; the total effective area is 360 cm2 at 1.5 KeV and 140 cm2 at 8 KeV.The mirror shells have a Wolter I geometry and are manufactured by a nickel electroforming replica process. Thepaper presents a status report of the qualification Model of the X-ray optics.Keywords: X-ray optics, grazing incidence optics, X-ray telescope, JET-X.1. iNTRODUCTIONJET-X 1 is a joint European X-ray telescope developed by a consortium of scientific institutes in UK (Universityof Leicester and Birmingham, the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the Mullard Space Science Laboratory), inItaly (Brera Astronomical Observatory, CNR Institutes in Milano and Palermo,