Technology Development for Direct Fabrication of Light-Weight High-Resolution Full-Shell X-Ray Optics

The next generation X-ray telescopes will require the availability of technologies to fabricate high resolution, very low mass, x-ray optics. To increase the throughput of the telescopes by nesting, the mirrors need to be relatively thin, yet stiff enough to ensure the mechanical stability and high angular resolution required. A full-shell approach takes advantage of the natural stiffness of the closed geometry, so potentially very-thin-wall x-ray mirrors can be employed. Also the full-shell approach permits simpler alignment and integration, compared to segmented x-ray optics, and less massive telescope structure. We intend to develop the capability (polishing techniques, fixturing, metrology methods) for direct and efficient fabrication of Chandra-like full-shell x-ray optics, yet with over an order of magnitude lighter mirrors using a Zeeko computer-controlled 7-axis polishing machine. The techniques that will be developed will be applicable to full-shell mirrors, but can be equally applied to segmented optics. This effort will build on work done to date on fixturing, software and metrology, funded internally at MSFC. Fixturing, already designed, will be tested and used to support the thin shells in a very-low-stress manner during all aspects of fabrication. In-situ metrology will be incorporated, specifically tailored for use in conjunction with the deterministic surface figuring machine. The goal of the 3-year program is to demonstrate capability through the fabrication and x-ray testing of thin (~ 1.5mm), light-weight, full mirror shells with few-arcsec angular resolution and describe a path forward to sub-arcsecond resolution.

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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