Flight-like critical-angle transmission grating x-ray performance for Arcus

Ralf K. Heilmann; Alexander R. Bruccoleri; Vadim Burwitz; Peter Cheimets; Casey DeRoo; Alan Garner; Eric M. Gullikson; Hans Moritz Günther; Gisela Hartner; Edward Hertz; Andreas Langmeier; Thomas Mueller; Surangkhana Rukdee; Thomas Schmidt; Randall K. Smith; Mark L. Schattenburg

doi:10.1117/12.2628195

31 August 2022 Flight-like critical-angle transmission grating x-ray performance for Arcus

Ralf K. Heilmann, Alexander R. Bruccoleri, Vadim Burwitz, Peter Cheimets, Casey DeRoo, Alan Garner, Eric M. Gullikson, Hans Moritz Günther, Gisela Hartner, Edward Hertz, Andreas Langmeier, Thomas Mueller, Surangkhana Rukdee, Thomas Schmidt, Randall K. Smith, Mark L. Schattenburg

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12181, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2022: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 1218116 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2628195
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2022, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Abstract

High resolving power soft x-ray spectroscopy has been confirmed by the recent Astro2020 Decadal Survey as a high-priority strategic goal with R =λ/Δλ as high as 7500 for some science cases. Examples are the characterization of highly ionized gases in galaxy halos and within and around galaxy clusters, accretion onto supermassive black holes, coronal mass ejections and coronal heating. Below the level of an expensive strategic mission, but far exceeding current capabilities, falls the Arcus Grating Explorer mission concept, with a minimum R of 2500 (expected R = 3500) and effective area up to ∼ 300 cm² in the 12-50 Å bandpass. Arcus relies on light-weight, high-efficiency, blazed and alignment-insensitive critical-angle transmission (CAT) gratings for dispersion. The mission calls for hundreds of ∼ 30×30 mm² gratings with a hierarchy of integrated support structures. The most recent CAT gratings have been fabricated from 200 mm silicon-on-insulator wafers using commercial, volume production compatible tools from the semiconductor and MEMS industries. We report x-ray results from quasifully illuminated, co-aligned CAT gratings showing record-high R ∼ 1.3×10⁴in 18th order at Al-K_α wavelengths, and diffraction efficiency of blazed orders in agreement with pencil beam synchrotron measurements and model predictions at O-K. Tilt of the deep-etched, freestanding grating bars relative to the grating surface is measured and successfully compensated through angular alignment during bonding of the Si gratings to metal frames. We also report on updates to the Arcus resolving power error budget, and on post-fabrication thinning of grating bars, which could lead to increased diffraction efficiency.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Ralf K. Heilmann, Alexander R. Bruccoleri, Vadim Burwitz, Peter Cheimets, Casey DeRoo, Alan Garner, Eric M. Gullikson, Hans Moritz Günther, Gisela Hartner, Edward Hertz, Andreas Langmeier, Thomas Mueller, Surangkhana Rukdee, Thomas Schmidt, Randall K. Smith, and Mark L. Schattenburg "Flight-like critical-angle transmission grating x-ray performance for Arcus", Proc. SPIE 12181, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2022: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 1218116 (31 August 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2628195

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