Large-Format X-ray Zone Plates: Enabling Flight-like Calibrations for Future Missions

NASA X-ray missions that are currently studied or in development range from sounding rockets to CubeSats, to Explorer-class and probe missions. While being vastly different in terms of size, lifetime and science, they all share the need for accurate ground-based characterization and calibration prior to launch since adjustments are fairly limited once in orbit. However the performance of such instruments in X-ray beamlines is not equivalent to their performance in space. This is because X-ray sources in beamlines are at a finite distance as opposed to astronomical sources, leading to curvature of the X-ray wavefront and to a different position for the X-ray best focus. Given this, ground calibration requires making trade-offs between fidelity and feasibility, and can increase mission risk. Here, we propose to develop, fabricate, and test collimating X-ray zone plates specifically dedicated for ground calibration. The fabrication will be led at the Nanofabrication Laboratory at Penn State University where we will use state-of-the-art tools and techniques (electron-beam lithography, metal-assisted chemical etching) to produce high-quality devices. The proximity of the Nanofabrication Laboratory to the Penn State University beamline will allow us to fabricate and test the devices on-site, accelerating the process development. This will also serve as an example to how smaller beamlines could allow for efficient testing of smaller payloads. Finally, we will fabricate, test, and deploy a zone plate at Marshall Space Flight Center's Stray Light Facility which will allow for a better collimated test facility usable by the community.

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground-based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

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