Development of High Resolution X-ray Telescope Optics

We propose to develop novel high-precision x-ray telescope mirror fabrication and figure correction technology which will lead to thin-shell mirrors rivaling Chandra's mirrors in angular resolution but with 10-100X larger area—all with significantly reduced weight and cost. The proposed effort builds on previous research at MIT and complements NASA-supported research at other institutions. Thin shell mirrors with resolution in the sub-5 arc-sec domain require significant advances in mirror shaping and correction technology. The best thin-shell mirrors fabricated to date allow a mission-level angular resolution of only ~10 arc sec. For slumped glass mirrors the PSF is currently dominated by surface errors in the mid-range spatial frequency domain which are difficult to remove by any of the proposed post-fabrication correction schemes. MIT is developing novel glass slumping technology which supports hot mirrors on a thin film of air, thus eliminating mid-range errors due to mandrel surface contamination and anti-stick coatings. We are also developing a surface-stress mirror correction technique utilizing a scanning MeV ion beam to remove mid- and long-range spatial frequency errors from mirrors. Surprising recent results from our lab show that MeV ions are capable of applying the full stress tensor to surfaces, unlike competing methods such as piezoelectric films which can apply only equi-biaxial film stresses. Computer models show that access to the full stress tensor is essential in order to correct kinematically-mounted mirrors into the sub-1 arc-sec domain. We propose a research program which builds on these new tools to help accelerate progress in x-ray mirror figure quality while reducing the cost of both glass and silicon mirrors.

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.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.