Lynx x-ray optics based on thin monolithic shells: design and development

Marta M. Civitani; Giancarlo Parodi; Gabriele Vecchi; Mauro Ghigo; Stefano Basso; Jacqueline M. Davis; Ronald F. Elsner; Kiranmayee Kilaru; Giovanni Pareschi; Douglas A. Swartz; Giorgio Toso

doi:10.1117/1.JATIS.5.2.021014

10 May 2019 Lynx x-ray optics based on thin monolithic shells: design and development

Marta M. Civitani, Giancarlo Parodi, Gabriele Vecchi, Mauro Ghigo, Stefano Basso, Jacqueline M. Davis, Ronald F. Elsner, Kiranmayee Kilaru, Giovanni Pareschi, Douglas A. Swartz, Giorgio Toso

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, Vol. 5, Issue 2, 021014 (May 2019). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.5.2.021014

Abstract

Lynx is the future x-ray observatory with superb imaging capabilities (<1 arc sec half-energy width) and large throughput (2 m² effective area @ 1 keV), which is being considered in the U.S. to take over Chandra. The implementation of the x-ray mirror module represents a very challenging aspect, and different approaches are being considered. Thin and low-weight substrates, working in grazing incidence configuration, are necessary to meet the severe mass constraints, but they have to also preserve the requirement of an excellent angular resolution. The use of monolithic glass (fused silica) shells is an attractive solution, provided that their thickness is kept very small [<4 mm for mirror shells up of 3-m diameter]. We present the optomechanical design of the Lynx mirror assembly based on this approach, together with the ongoing technological development process. In particular, we discuss the figuring process, which is based on direct polishing followed by an ion-beam figuring correction. A temporary structure is specifically devoted to support the shell during the figuring and polishing operations and to manage the handling of the shell through all phases up to integration into the final telescope supporting spoke wheel. The results achieved so far on a prototype shell will be discussed.

CC BY: © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

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Marta M. Civitani, Giancarlo Parodi, Gabriele Vecchi, Mauro Ghigo, Stefano Basso, Jacqueline M. Davis, Ronald F. Elsner, Kiranmayee Kilaru, Giovanni Pareschi, Douglas A. Swartz, and Giorgio Toso "Lynx x-ray optics based on thin monolithic shells: design and development," Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems 5(2), 021014 (10 May 2019). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.5.2.021014

Received: 20 November 2018; Accepted: 12 April 2019; Published: 10 May 2019

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KEYWORDS

Polishing

Mirrors

X-ray optics

Manufacturing

Surface finishing

Optics manufacturing

Glasses

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