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Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)
The primary purpose of this effort is to build on GSFC's ability to fabricate diffractive X-ray lenses to achieve high angular resolution of <0.1 arcsecond. This resolution is over an order of magnitude better than has been achieved with conventional grazing incidence X-ray optics.
Similar to EUV photon sieves, images with the proposed resolving power have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of ultra-hot plasmas in solar flares which drive our space weather. Complimentary to EUV emission, x-rays probe much higher temperatures as well as accelerated particles. The magnetic reconnection process that is believed to lead to the energy release from the coronal magnetic field that heats the plasma takes place on scales much smaller than 1 arcsec.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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