NuSTAR hard x-ray optics

Jason E. Koglin; Finn E. Christensen; William W. Craig; Todd R. Decker; Charles J. Hailey; Fiona A. Harrison; Colin Hawthorn; Carsten P. Jensen; Kristin K. Madsen; Marcela Stern; Gordon Tajiri; Michael D. Taylor

doi:10.1117/12.618601

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31 August 2005 NuSTAR hard x-ray optics

Jason E. Koglin, Finn E. Christensen, William W. Craig, Todd R. Decker, Charles J. Hailey, Fiona A. Harrison, Colin Hawthorn, Carsten P. Jensen, Kristin K. Madsen, Marcela Stern, Gordon Tajiri, Michael D. Taylor

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Proceedings Volume 5900, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy II; 59000X (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.618601
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) is a small explorer (SMEX) mission currently under an extended Phase A study by NASA. NuSTAR will be the first satellite mission to employ focusing optics in the hard X-ray band (8-80 keV). Its design eliminates high detector backgrounds, allows true imaging, and permits the use of compact high performance detectors. The result: a combination of clarity, sensitivity, and spectral resolution surpassing the largest observatories that have operated in this band by orders of magnitude. We present an overview of the NuSTAR optics design and production process. We also describe the progress of several components of our independent optics development program that are beginning to reach maturity and could possibly be incorporated into the NuSTAR production scheme. We then present environmental test results that are being conducted in preparation of full space qualification of the NuSTAR optics.

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Jason E. Koglin, Finn E. Christensen, William W. Craig, Todd R. Decker, Charles J. Hailey, Fiona A. Harrison, Colin Hawthorn, Carsten P. Jensen, Kristin K. Madsen, Marcela Stern, Gordon Tajiri, and Michael D. Taylor "NuSTAR hard x-ray optics", Proc. SPIE 5900, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy II, 59000X (31 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.618601

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