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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 3)
The next generation of X-ray astrophysics missions require thousands of precisely and accurately fabricated mirror segments. The foundation of any fabrication process is metrology. We are developing a method of metrology where the mirror segment is measured optically at normal incidence, using only an existing phase-measuring interferometer, without a null lens. The goal is to produce repeatable and scalable measurements to verify mirror surface shape and error, advancing the state of the art of X-ray mirror fabrication.
This will improve optical metrology for optics used in X-ray telescopes, which will provide feedback to further improve our x-ray mirror segment manufacturing, which in turn, improves x-ray telescopes performance for future missions. We are developing this technology with the intent to immediately be implemented into x-ray telescope missions, such as, STAR-X and AXIS. This work will also have a major impact on future x-ray telescope missions, such as, Lynx
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