Lobster-eye X-ray Optics Research Articles

Preliminary optical tests of lobster eye X-ray optics prototype for nano-satellite missions based on new technology

Preliminary optical tests of lobster eye X-ray optics prototype for nano-satellite missions based on new technology

Study on the optical properties of Iridium-coated lobster eye X-ray micro pore optics

Lobster eye micro pore optics (MPO) has been extensively researched, developed, and experimented over the past few decades since Angel proposed it in 1979. The inner wall of the square channel was coated with high-density Iridium metal, which is used to improve X-ray reflectivity, an essential feature of lobster-eye X-ray optics. In this work, we successfully used atomic layer deposition technology (ALD) to coat a 21 ± 1 nm thick iridium metal film. We used SEM, AFM, EDS, ZYGO interferometer, and X-ray technology to investigate the optical properties of Iridium-coated lobster eye optics. Initially, we discovered that the roughness of the inner wall and spherical surface of the device would worsen due to the high deposition temperature. At the voltage was 5 kV, the current was 0.1 mA. The X-ray test results reveal that when the deposition temperature reached 395 °C, the angular resolution dropped nearly 12.5%, and the X-ray effective area was reduced by about 25%.

Small Spacecraft Payload Study for X-ray Astrophysics including GRB Science

This paper presents microsatellite spacecraft payload study for prompt observation of transient astrophysical objects in X-ray energy range. By combining telescope concepts and miniaturized detectors, the small spacecraft will be able to probe the X-ray temporal emissions of bright events such as Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), X-ray transients or the electromagnetic counterparts of Gravitational Wave Events (GWEs), but also short and long term observations of other types of variable X-ray sources. The spacecraft is based on the CubeSat nanosatellite platform with a volume of 16U. The spacecraft carries two types of X-ray telescopes onboard. The first is intended for X-ray transient monitoring and localization, and the second for detailed spectroscopic observation. The X-ray monitor/localization telescope with wide field of view of several arc degrees is used for localization and flux measurement of X-ray transients, as well as for permanent monitoring of Galactic center area. This telescope is based on Lobster Eye X-ray optics together with pixel detector based on the Timepix3 Quad detector. Rapid follow-up observation by soft X-ray spectroscopy is enabled by a second X-ray spectroscopic telescope with limited FOV (Field of View) of several arcmins with no spatial and/or angular resolution. The spectroscopic telescope uses condenser optics based on replicated parabolic total reflection system (or, alternatively, Wolter system) and a Ketek X-ray SDD detector with energy resolution of about 130 eV as a detector. In addition to technical and instrumental aspects, observational strategy and astrophysical issues and justifications are also addressed in the paper.

Tests of lobster eye optics for small space X-ray telescope

The Lobster eye design for a grazing incidence X-ray optics provides wide field of view of the order of many degrees, for this reason it can be a convenient approach for the construction of space all-sky X-ray monitors. We present preliminary results of tests of prototype lobster eye X-ray optics in quasi parallel beam full imaging mode conducted using the 35 m long X-ray beam-line of INAF-OAPA in Palermo (Italy). X-ray images at the focal plane have been taken with a microchannel plate (MCP) detector at several energy values from 0.3 to 8 keV. The gain, the field of view and the angular resolution have been measured and compared with theoretical values.

Astrophysics with LOBSTER

We report on astrophysical aspects of fully innovative very wide-field X-ray telescopes with high sensitivity. The prototypes are very promising, allowing the proposals for space projects with very wide-field Lobster-eye X-ray optics to be considered. The novel telescopes will monitor the sky with unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution of order of 1 arcmin. They are expected to contribute essentially to study of various astrophysical objects such as AGN, SNe, Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), X-ray flashes (XRFs), galactic binary sources, stars, CVs, X-ray novae, various transient sources, etc.

Optical metrology for analysis of lobster-eye x-ray optics.

A new method that uses optical microscopy to determine the physical structure of lobster-eye x-ray optics is described. This approach offers the ability to predict x-ray performance without having to take an x-ray measurement. An overlapping series of images of the entrance and exit faces of an optic are obtained and examined by purpose-built software. A 24-parameter description of each channel is obtained from which a quantitative analysis of all the major optic defects, except surface roughness, is performed. Results for a planar lobster-eye optic are used to illustrate this technique and discuss its abilities as well as directions for future enhancements.

Lobster-eye x-ray optics: a rapid evaluation of the image distribution

A method for calculating the image distribution for one-dimensional lobster-eye optics is presented. This method gives the image distribution exactly for certain cases and offers improved speed over the method of ray tracing. Examples of the use of the algorithm are given. We show that the algorithm gives the same results as detailed ray-tracing codes. Extension of the method to the two-dimensional case is discussed.