Mirror technology development for the International X-ray Observatory mission (IXO)

Zhang, W. W.; Atanassova, M.; Biskach, M.; Blake, P. N.; Byron, G.; Chan, K. W.; Evans, T.; Fleetwood, C.; Hill, M.; Jalota, L.; Kolos, L.; Mazzarella, James R.; McClelland, R.; Olsen, L.; Petre, R.; Robinson, D.; Saha, T. T.; Sharpe, M.; Gubarev, M. V.; Jones, W. D.; Kester, T.; O’Dell, Stephen L.; Caldwell, D.; Davis, W.; Freeman, M.; Podgorski, W.; Reid, P. B.; Romaine, S.

doi:10.1117/12.857536

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Thermally slumped glass optics have been used for the NuSTAR mission, whose telescopes contain 133 shells of thin glasses [21,22]. During the slumping process, the glass is slumped very slowly onto the convex surface of the mandrel to assume its shape [23]. The temperature curve needs to be optimized to control the slumping process and the figure of the glass.…”

Section: -5mentioning

confidence: 99%

The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP

Zhang

Santangelo

Feroci

et al. 2018

Sci. China Phys. Mech. Astron.

271

116

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In this paper we present the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission. eXTP is a space science mission designed to study fundamental physics under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism. The mission aims at determining the equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear density, measuring effects of QED, and understanding the dynamics of matter in strong-field gravity. In addition to investigating fundamental physics, eXTP will be a very powerful observatory for astrophysics that will provide observations of unprecedented quality on a variety of galactic and extragalactic objects. In particular, its wide field monitoring capabilities will be highly instrumental to detect the electro-magnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources. The paper provides a detailed description of: 1) The technological and technical aspects, and the expected performance of the instruments of the scientific payload; 2) The elements and functions of the mission, from the spacecraft to the ground segment.X-ray instrumentation, X-ray Polarimetry, X-ray Timing, Space mission: eXTP PACS number(s): 95.55. Ka, 95.85.Nv, 95.75.Hi, 97.60.Jd, 97.60.Lf

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Section: -5mentioning

confidence: 99%

The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP

Zhang

Santangelo

Feroci

et al. 2018

Sci. China Phys. Mech. Astron.

271

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The P/H pairs will be fabricated at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) by slumping 0.4 mm thick borosilicate glass sheets onto precisely figured parabolic and hyperbolic fused quartz mandrels in a process developed and matured for IXO 9 . For WHIMex, all of the P (and H) mandrels are identical.…”

Section: Optics Module Assemblymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium Explorer (WHIMex) mission

et al. 2011

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Web. WHIMx wi1 tect absoxltih lines in the higJ-density filaments of the Cosmic Web. ABSTRACTThe WHIMex X-ray observatory will provide an order of magnitude improvement in sensitivity and spectroscopic resolution, ushering in a new era in astrophysics. With resolution 4,000 and collecting area 250 cm 2 in the 0.2-0.8 keV band, WHIMex will greatly extend the spectroscopic discoveries of Chandra and XMM with a low-cost, highly-productive Explorer mission. WHIMex's spectra will provide a wealth of new information on the physical conditions of baryonic matter from the local regions of our Galaxy out to the Cosmic Web and the large-scale structures of the Universe. This baryonic matter is thought to result from gravitational collapse of moderately overdense, dark-matter filaments of the Cosmic Web. The chemical enrichment of the Cosmic Web appears to arise from galactic super winds and early generations of massive stars. WHIMex will test these theories, distinguish between competing models, and provide new insights into galaxy evolution and the structure of the universe High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy was identified by the ASTRO 2010 decadal survey as a high-priority capability in the coming decade for a wide variety of science goals. Unfortunately, no other planned mission can address this science until IXO flies, no earlier than the late 2020s. WHIMex achieves its high level of performance in a single-instrument, affordable package using X-ray optical technologies developed for IXO and NuSTAR by academic, industrial and government research centers. The technology readiness levels of all the components are high. We plan to build an optical test module and raise the optical system readiness to TRL 6 during Phase A.

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“…The FMA combines tens of modules collectively containing thousands of mirror segments into a common structure with a common focus (though some missions studied have multiple foci). Significant FMA design and analysis was performed as part of the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO) mission study [4]. The design approach of combining rings of modules into a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) super structure is scalable to a variety of mission sizes including Flagship Missions such as IXO, Missions of Opportunity, and Explorer Missions.…”

Section: Flight Mirror Assembly Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design, construction, and testing of lightweight x-ray mirror modules

et al. 2013

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Lightweight and high resolution optics are needed for future space-based X-ray telescopes to achieve advances in highenergy astrophysics. The Next Generation X-ray Optics (NGXO) team at NASA GSFC is nearing mission readiness for a 10 arc-second Half Power Diameter (HPD) slumped glass mirror technology while laying the groundwork for a future 1-2 arc-second technology based on polished silicon mirrors. Technology Development Modules (TDMs) have been designed, fabricated, integrated with mirrors segments, and extensively tested to demonstrate technology readiness. Tests include X-ray performance, thermal vacuum, acoustic load, and random vibration. The thermal vacuum and acoustic load environments have proven relatively benign, while the random vibration environment has proven challenging due to large input amplification at frequencies above 500 Hz. Epoxy selection, surface preparation, and larger bond area have increased bond strength while vibration isolation has decreased vibration amplification allowing for space launch requirements to be met in the near term.The next generation of TDMs, which demonstrates a lightweight structure supporting more mirror segments, is currently being fabricated. Analysis predicts superior performance characteristics due to the use of E-60 Beryllium-Oxide Metal Matrix Composite material, with only a modest cost increase. These TDMs will be larger, lighter, stiffer, and stronger than the current generation.Preliminary steps are being taken to enable mounting and testing of 1-2 arc-second mirror segments expected to be available in the future. A Vertical X-ray Test Facility (VXTF) will minimize module gravity distortion and allow for less constrained mirror mounts, such as fully kinematic mounts. Permanent kinematic mounting into a modified TDM has been demonstrated to achieve 2 arc-second level distortion free alignment.

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Mirror technology development for the International X-ray Observatory mission (IXO)

Cited by 10 publications

References 9 publications

The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP

The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP

The Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium Explorer (WHIMex) mission

Design, construction, and testing of lightweight x-ray mirror modules

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