Mathematical formalism for designing wide-field x-ray telescopes: mirror nodal positions and detector tilts

Ronald F. Elsner; Stephen L. O'Dell; Brian D. Ramsey; Martin C. Weisskopf

doi:10.1117/12.895227

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6 October 2011 Mathematical formalism for designing wide-field x-ray telescopes: mirror nodal positions and detector tilts

Ronald F. Elsner, Stephen L. O'Dell, Brian D. Ramsey, Martin C. Weisskopf

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Proceedings Volume 8147, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy V; 814712 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.895227
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We describe a mathematical formalism for determining the mirror shell nodal positions and detector tilts that optimize the spatial resolution averaged over a field-of-view for a nested x-ray telescope, assuming known mirror segment surface prescriptions and known detector focal surface. The results are expressed in terms of ensemble averages over variable combinations of the ray positions and wavevectors in the flat focal plane intersecting the optical axis at the nominal on-axis focus, which can be determined by Monte-Carlo ray traces of the individual mirror shells. This work is part of our continuing efforts to provide analytical tools to aid in the design process for wide-field survey x-ray astronomy missions.

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Ronald F. Elsner, Stephen L. O'Dell, Brian D. Ramsey, and Martin C. Weisskopf "Mathematical formalism for designing wide-field x-ray telescopes: mirror nodal positions and detector tilts", Proc. SPIE 8147, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy V, 814712 (6 October 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.895227

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