Characterization of a lobster-eye type X-ray telescope

Abstract

Lobster-eye type X-ray telescopes use reflecting plano mirrors under grazing incidence and can observe a large field of view. As part of a Bavarian-Czech cooperation, two telescopes were build, equipped with mirrors coated with gold and iridium. Their X-ray characterization was carried out at the PANTER test facility, which simulates parallel starlight incident on the telescopes. The telescopes have an angular resolution of about 4 arc minutes in X-rays and a focal length of about 2 meters. The used X-ray mirrors reflect and focus visible light as well; their functionality in the optical regime was checked in laboratory tests. Now another test campaign will be carried out to examine the telescope resolution for real objects of the visible night sky and the imaging properties for star constellations.

Testing of lobster-eye type telescopes with X-rays and visible light

“…Two geometrically identical telescopes, called HORUS, have been built (see figure 4) [3]. One of these telescopes was equipped with conventional gold-coated mirrors, manufactured by the Czech project partners.…”

“…The telescope presented here was characterized at the PANTER test facility. In X-ray light, the lobster-eye optics have an angular resolution of about 4 arc minutes and a focal length of about 2 meters [3]. The X-ray mirrors used, which are based on a chromium-iridium-chromium triple-layer system, also reflect visible radiation excellently.…”

“…Astronomical X-ray optics were under development in the Aschaffenburg Competence Center ACCASI ("Aschaffenburg Competence Center for Astronomical and Space Instrumentation") since several years [1]. As part of a Bavarian-Czech cooperation between the Technical University of Aschaffenburg and the Technical University of Prague [2], two geometrically identical telescopes, called HORUS, were built [3]. One of these telescopes was equipped with conventional gold-coated mirrors, manufactured by the Czech project partners.…”