In this paper we present the latest developments on the ruggedisation of the Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) mirror modules. SPO is one of the candidate technologies for producing the X-ray optics for the future space based Xray telescope, the International X-ray Observatory (IXO). To produce SPO mirror modules, Si mirrors are first bonded together using direct Si bonding to form a stack. These stacks are the glued into brackets, which then connect to the supporting optical bench by invar pins. The combination of brackets and invar pins now forms a full isostatic mount, and is rugged enough to allow the mirror module to survive the high loads of a launch. The mounting system furthermore allows for a certain level of manufacturing tolerances for the support structure, and ensures interchangeability of the mirror modules within one single ring of the optical bench. To prove this, a test interface has been designed and manufactured, on which a single, full fledged mirror module will be mounted to be exposed to environmental tests.

Date Published: 30 July 2010
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 7732, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 77322T (30 July 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.858121

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7732:
Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Monique Arnaud; Stephen S. Murray; Tadayuki Takahashi, Editor(s)