Silicon pore optics developments and status

Abstract

Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) is a lightweight high performance X-ray optics technology being developed in Europe, driven by applications in observatory class high energy astrophysics missions. An example of such application is the former ESA science mission candidate ATHENA (Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics), which uses the SPO technology for its two telescopes, in order to provide an effective area exceeding 1 m 2 at 1 keV, and 0.5 m 2 at 6 keV, featuring an angular resolution of 10" or better [1 to 24]. This paper reports on the development activities led by ESA, and the status of the SPO technology. The technology development programme has succeeded in maturing the SPO further and achieving important milestones, in each of the main activity streams: environmental compatibility, industrial production and optical performance. In order to accurately characterise the increasing performance of this innovative optical technology, the associated X-ray test facilities and beam-lines have been refined and upgraded. THE CHALLENGE OF THE NEXT GENERATIONThe currently operating X-ray observatories are technological masterpieces, and the usefulness to science is evident in the prolific publication record that they have generated. These missions required significant investments, and each required the technologies used on-board to be brought to a high level of sophistication. The XMM-Newton and Chandra observatories [25,26] have been serving the science community for well over a decade. The science that they produced has generated many new questions, which for their resolution will require even more capable space observatories.In parallel, the sensitivity of observatories is constantly increasing over the whole width of the remainder electromagnetic spectrum, from the radio, over the sub-mm and infrared, to the visible and UV. The development of equipment on ground is truly impressive, and will allow unprecedented depth of observations, detecting unseen details and providing superb spectroscopic and angular resolution. With the addition of the JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) [27], the study of the Universe, including its early phases, will certainly experience a significant progress. Complementary observations in the high energy area will become increasingly important.The next generation X-ray observatories will therefore have to be much more capable than the current ones, but at the same time they will not be in the position to rely on increased resource budgets. The challenge of the next generation Xray observatories has to rely on new technologies, which will increase the performance both on the optics and on the instrument side.

Silicon pore optics for future x-ray telescopes

“…The next steps are defined in ESA's technology development plan for Silicon Pore Optics [2]. A full environmental qualification activity is currently running in order to reach a Technology Readiness Level of 5.…”

“…SPO was selected as the baseline technology for the former IXO and ATHENA mission candidates [1][2][3].…”

European x-ray optics for next generation space observatories

“…About 10 years ago, based on an idea of optics configuration previously introduced at the Leicester University (UK) [2], the development of Silicon Pore Optics was started in order to achieve a breakthrough for x-ray optics [3][4][5]. By now, the low mass of the optics, the optical quality, the mechanical and thermal robustness and also the manufacturing capability of SPO could be sufficiently demonstrated to be selected as baseline technology for ESA's second large class science mission Athena.…”

Monte Carlo simulations of hyper-velocity particulate mechanics within silicon micropore optics

“…Modern advances in soft X-ray optics, such as the development of silicon micro-pore optics (sMPO) provide significant advances in field of view while offering reduced mass for the same performance [3]. Downsides also come however, as sMPO provide direct line of sight from space to the sensitive X-ray detectors, increasing the risk of a potentially fatal hyper-velocity particulate impact.…”