X-ray Optics: A New Technology Development for ASTROSAT and Future Scientific Space Missions

摘要

X-ray optics based on the principle of grazing incidence is being developed for a Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) to be flown on the first Indian astronomy mission ASTROSAT. The SXT will employ a conical approximation to the exact Wolter type Ⅰ paraboloid-hyperboloid configuration for the fabrication of light-weight thin-foil gold-coated X-ray mirrors. The mirrors are being developed using a replication of smooth glass surface via gold coating, and assembled quadrant by quadrant. Details of the processes being used and tests being performed on these X-ray mirrors, as well as an outline of future prospects are described.