<title>Replicated grazing incidence x-ray optics: past, present, and future</title>

Abstract

The development of x-ray optics with focus on replicated grazing incidence mirrors has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. The design of the first x-ray imaging lenses stated in late 60's and the first mirrors have been available since 1970. They were flown on 8 space probes and/or experiments so far. Recently, we participate in the design and development of innovative x-ray optics for future space missions, especially for those with very large field of view. These lenses are believed to allow the first deep monitoring of the sky sphere in x-rays. There are also numerous ground-based laboratory applications.