Development of adjustable grazing incidence optics for Generation-X

Abstract

For X-ray astronomy, 0.1 arc-second imaging resolution will result in a significant advance in our understanding of the Universe. Similarly, the advent of low cost high performance X-ray mirrors will also increase the likelihood of more X-ray telescopes being funded and built. We discuss the development plans of two different types of adjustable grazing incidence optics: one being a tenth arc-second resolution bimorph mirror approach also suitable for extremely large collecting areas, and the second being a few arc-second radially adjustable mirror approach more suitable for modest sized telescopes. Bimorph mirrors will be developed using thin (0.1 - 0.4 mm) thermally formed glass or electroplated metal mirror segments with thin film piezo-electric actuators deposited directly on the mirror back surface. Mirror figure will be adjusted on-orbit. Radially adjustable mirrors will employ discreet radially electrostrictive actuators for mirror alignment and low spatial error frequency figure correction during assembly and alignment. In this paper we report on. In this paper we describe mirror design and our development plans for both mirror concepts.