Nano-technology for Advanced X-Ray Microcapillary Plates

The spectacular successes of the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and its impending shut down highlight the need for a capable successor mission. A large-area X-ray timing mission with 5-10 times the collecting area of the RXTE Proportional Counter Array (PCA) will be capable of probing the physics of extreme density, temperature, gravitation, and magnetic fields in ways that will have impacts on numerous fields of physics. These including measuring the nuclear matter equation of state and the effects of spin on the gravitational field around black holes. The Spectroscopic Time-Resolving Observatory for Broadband Energy X-rays (STROBE-X) is the proposed next generation X-ray timing mission. STROXE-X will probe strong gravity for stellar mass to supermassive black holes and ultra-dense matter with unprecedented effective area, high time-resolution, and good spectral resolution, while providing a powerful time-domain X-ray observatory. Currently, STROBE-X is baselined for glass-based micropore collimators (MPC). MPCs have dramatically less mass and volume than collimator traditional designs, enabling large missions at modest cost. The disadvantage from MCPs is that they are made entirely of glass. Glass has a low X-ray 'stopping power'. We propose to dramatically improve MPC collimator technology by adding metal layers to the inside of the micropore walls. All fabrication techniques can be applied to large area MCP arrays. Prototype will be tested for performance at the MSFC Stray Light Facility and the thermal and mechanical properties that affect its use in a full instrument concept will be studied.

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 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.

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.