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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
The proposal objective is to establish the capability to deposit multilayer structures for X-ray, neutron, and EUV optic applications through the development of a magnetron sputtering deposition system. A specific goal of this endeavor is to combine multilayer deposition technology with the replication process in order to enhance the MSFC's position as a world leader in the design of innovative X-ray instrumentation through the development of full shell replicated multilayer optics. The development of multilayer structures are absolutely necessary in order to advance the field of X-ray astronomy by pushing the limit for observing the universe to ever increasing photon energies (i.e. up to 200 keV or higher); well beyond Chandra (~10 keV) and NuStar's (~75 keV) capability.
The ultimate goal is to provide the X-ray astrophysics community with improved instrumentation for the discovery of how the Universe works from the very moment of its creation through the evolution of galaxies, stars and planets, how it will continue to evolve, and what its ultimate fate may be.
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