Role of diffractive and refractive optics in x-ray astronomy

Paul Gorenstein

doi:10.1117/12.506443

29 January 2004 Role of diffractive and refractive optics in x-ray astronomy

Paul Gorenstein

Proceedings Volume 5168, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506443
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

No future X-ray telescope is likely ever to have angular resolution significantly superior to the Chandra X-Ray Observatory without adopting a new technology. We consider focusing systems based upon diffraction and refraction rather than grazing incidence reflection. The elements are Fresnel zone plates and refractive lenses in configurations where chromatic aberration is corrected over a finite bandwidth. This technique is likely to be especially effective in the intermediate regime between the 0.5 arcsec capability of the Chandra telescope and the one-tenth microarcsec resolution required for the NASA "Vision Mission" entitled the "Black Hole Imager." Diffractive/refractive systems can also be configured as high throughput flux concentrators for third generation X-ray timing studies and non-dispersive spectroscopy. They may also have an important role in very high resolution spectroscopy. Because these elements focus by transmitting X-rays at normal incidence they can be extremely lightweight compared to grazing incidence telescopes. Furthermore the figure accuracy and surface smoothness are much less critical. On the other hand diffractive/refractive optics are characterized by chromatic aberration, which can be corrected only in small wavelength bands. Focal lengths range up to 10⁵ km making the application of diffractive/refractive X-ray optics to astronomy dependent upon the development of technology for formation flying of very widely separated spacecraft.

Citation Download Citation

Paul Gorenstein "Role of diffractive and refractive optics in x-ray astronomy", Proc. SPIE 5168, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy, (29 January 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506443

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available