Concepts: x-ray telescopes with high-angular resolution and high throughput

Paul Gorenstein

doi:10.1117/12.461605

11 March 2003 Concepts: x-ray telescopes with high-angular resolution and high throughput

Paul Gorenstein

Proceedings Volume 4851, X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Telescopes and Instruments for Astronomy; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.461605
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

The high rate at which importatn results are emanating formthe Chandra X-ray Observatory heightens our appreciation of the significance of high angular resolution telescopes in x-ray astronomy. However, the Chandra telescope is probably the last member of a line of high resolution telescopes with a conventional architecture. Qualitative improvement upon Chandra's resolution requires a new technology. We discuss a promising approach that is capable potentially of achieving microarcsecond resolution, possibly the highest angular resolution in astronomy of any wavelength band. It is based upon x-ray optics that focus by transmission at normal incidence rather than by reflection at grazing incidence. Its components are refractive lenses and Fresnel zone plantes. Extreme chromatic aberration is intrinsic to these devices but it can be overcome in small wavelength intervals above 2 keV with a technique described by Van Speybroech and by other methods. Like x-ray interferometry these systems have extremely long focal lengths and require 'formation flying' consisting of precise positioning between the optics and detector that be aboard separate spacecraft spaced far apart. However, it is less demanding of accuracy in formation flying than x-ray interferometery. These systems have much lower mass than grazing incidence telescopes with comparable collecting area.

Citation Download Citation

Paul Gorenstein "Concepts: x-ray telescopes with high-angular resolution and high throughput", Proc. SPIE 4851, X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Telescopes and Instruments for Astronomy, (11 March 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.461605

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