The Smart X-ray Optics project is a UK based consortium of six institutions investigating active/adaptive X-ray optics for both large and small scale applications. The large scale application is aimed towards future high angular resolution, large X-ray telescopes for X-ray astronomy. The work presented here includes the modelling and the testing of the large scale prototype optic. The prototype incorporates piezoelectric devices to a standard X-ray shell to enable the surface to be actively deformed, aiming to achieve an angular resolution better than that currently available (e.g. Chandra 0.5"). The initial design is based on a thin nickel ellipsoid segment on the back of which a series of piezoelectric actuators have been bonded. Results from the initial testing of this prototype in the X-ray beam line at the University of Leicester are presented and simulation of the X-ray performance, the effect of the actuated piezoelectric devices on the detected image and further models are discussed.

Date Published: 31 August 2009
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 7437, Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy IV, 74371G (31 August 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.825860

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7437:
Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy IV
Stephen L. O'Dell; Giovanni Pareschi, Editor(s)