Soft x-ray filters designed for transmission between 40 Å and 170 Å

Abstract

A new generation of sub-micron soft x-ray filters has been developed for use in solar astronomy. These filters are designed to achieve higher transmission than is currently available in the wavelength region from 40A to 170A. Prototype filters have been fabricated using advanced deposition techniques, and utilizing multilayer combinations of materials to optimize performance in the spectral region of interest. Zirconium, niobium, palladium, and rhodium have been fabricated as prototype materials, both as singular foils and in multilayer combinations with polyimide as a support film. Results discussed include visible light rejection, accelerated life testing and x-ray transmission.