Paper
4 September 2015 A design study of mirror modules and an assembly based on the slumped glass for an Athena-like optics
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
The Athena mission was selected for the second large-class mission, due for launch in 2028, in ESA’s Cosmic Vision program. The current solution for the optics is based on the Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) technology with the goal of 2m2 effective area at 1keV (aperture about 3m diameter) with a focal length of 12m. The SPO advantages are the compactness along the axial direction and the high conductivity of the Silicon. Recent development in the fabrication of mirror shells based on the Slumped Glass Optics (SGO) makes this technology an attractive solution for the mirror modules for Athena or similar telescopes. The SGO advantages are a potential high collecting area with a limited vignetting due to the lower shadowing and the aptitude to curve the glass plates up to small radius of curvature. This study shows an alternative mirror design based on SGO technology, tailored for Athena needs. The main challenges are the optimization of the manufacturing technology with respect to the required accuracy and the thermal control of the large surface in conjunction with the low conductivity of the glass. A concept has been elaborated which considers the specific benefits of the SGO technology and provides an efficient thermal control. The output of the study is a preliminary design substantiated by analyses and technological studies. The study proposes interfaces and predicts performances and budgets. It describes also how such a mirror system could be implemented as a modular assembly for X-ray telescope with a large collecting area.
© (2015) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stefano Basso, Marta Civitani, Giovanni Pareschi, Enrico Buratti, Josef Eder, Peter Friedrich, and Maria Fürmetz "A design study of mirror modules and an assembly based on the slumped glass for an Athena-like optics", Proc. SPIE 9603, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy VII, 96030N (4 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188509
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KEYWORDS
Mirrors

Glasses

X-rays

Interfaces

X-ray optics

Space mirrors

Finite element methods

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