Carbon nanotubes thin filters for x-ray detectors in space

Conformal chemical vapor deposition of boron carbide thin films

“…Apart from neutron converter layer, one of the potential areas where it can be applied is the capping of carbon nanotubes in CNT membranes which enables better performance and durability in harsh environments. Carbon nanotube membranes are used for various applications such as radiation filter in X-ray detectors in space 70 and extreme ultraviolet lithography pellicles 71,72 .…”

Carbon nanotube membranes for EUV photolithography: a versatile material platform

“…As investigated together with Ametek Finland Ltd. and University of Palermo, under support from European and Italian space agencies, 7 Canatu CNT membranes have shown applicability in astrophysics space missions as high-performance debris and optical blocking filters for soft X-ray detectors, such as telescope entrance filters and focal plane filters. These optical filters are placed in front of the detector to block particles and photons outside the energy range of interest, while at the same being highly transparent to X-rays and durable enough to handle missions to space.…”

“…The CNT membranes can endure mechanical pressure and vibration conditions required for a space launch. 7 A B…”

High-speed atomic oxygen irradiation of atomically thin graphene for astronomical applications

“…[4][5][6] In X-ray astronomy, thin-film devices consist of, for example, a combination of a light metal and polymeric films such as aluminum and polyimide and their supporters to hold the free-standing filter structure. [1][2][3]7,8 The sensitivity of the filter depends on the thickness of the coating material and polymeric films and an open-area ratio basically limited by their physical properties, such as mechanical strength and processing techniques. As for the thickness of the plastic films, it varies from few tens to hundreds of nanometers.…”

“…Recently, carbon nanotube (CNT) thin filters with low-energy X-ray transparency, higher mechanical strength, and superior thermal conductance have been proposed for X-ray detectors in space. 9 The concept is to utilize superior optical and mechanical properties of CNTs and apply the CNT thin filters in large-area optical blocking filters to protect soft X-ray detectors from the intense optical light of the Sun in astronomical space missions. Bare and aluminum-coated small self-standing pellicles were fabricated successfully, and they exhibited their effectiveness in terms of X-ray transparency quantitatively as a potential innovative material.…”