Abstract
Capabilities of large-scale diffractive X-ray telescopes are discussed. Based on purely transmissive optics, an angular resolution of at least 10−3 arcsec will be achieved using detection techniques with spectral selectivities in the sub-eV range for short focal distances of few 102 km. We use stepped versions of Fresnel apertures made of plastic foils, divided into optically independent segments by two alternative schemes. It is shown that point source sensitivities near 103 cm2 keV require lens diameters up to 30 m. Like monochromatic objectives, properly shaped dual- or multiband telescopes may be tuned over several keV. Such configurations are made of partial Fresnel lenses with coinciding focal distances and similar spot sizes and compete well with single-band analogues.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Skinner, G.K.: Diffractive/refractive optics for high energy astronomy. Astron. Astrophys. 375, 691 (2001)
Krizmanic, J. et al.: Formation flying for a Fresnel lens observatory mission. Exp. Astron. 20, 497 (2006)
Skinner, G.K. et al.: Fresnel lenses for X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. Proc. SPIE 5168, 459 (2004)
Gorenstein, P.: Role of diffractive and refractive optics in X-ray astronomy. Proc. SPIE 5168, 411 (2004)
Krizmanic, J. et al.: Development of Ground-testable Phase Fresnel lenses in Silicon (2006) (physics/0601012)
Di Fabrizio, E. et al.: High-efficiency multilevel zone plates for keV X-rays. Nature 401, 895 (1999)
Yang, B.X.: Fresnel and refractive lenses for X-rays. Nucl. Instr. Methods Phys. Res. A 328, 578 (1993)
Kirz, J.: Phase zone plates for X-rays and the extreme UV. J. Opt. Soc. Am. 64(3), 301 (1974).
Kipp, L. et al.: Sharper images by focusing soft X-rays with photon sieves. Nature 414, 184 (2001)
Storm, S.E. et al.: Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope: A point design based on science drivers. Proc. SPIE 4840, 116 (2003)
Young, M.: Zone plates and their aberrations. J. Opt. Soc. Am. 62(8), 972 (1972)
Born, M., Wolf, E.: Principles of Optics, 7th edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1999)
Vainshtein, L. et al.: Scattering of X-ray emission lines by atomic helium. Astron. Lett. 24, 271 (1998)
Churazov, E. et al.: Compact and diffuse sources in the galactic center region (1999) (astro-ph/9901164)
Koyama, K. et al.: ASCA view of our galactic center: remains of past activities in X-rays? Publ. Astron. Soc. Japan 48, 249 (1996)
del Rio, M.S., Dejus, R.J.: X-ray oriented programs (XOP), http://www.esrf.fr/computing/scientific/xop, ESRF, France (2002)
Shvyd'ko, Yu.V. et al.: X-ray interferometry with microelectronvolt resolution. Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 013904-1 (2003)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Braig, C., Predehl, P. Large-scale diffractive X-ray telescopes. Exp Astron 21, 101–123 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-006-9077-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-006-9077-7