Optical design considerations and raytracing results for the Arcus grating spectrometer concept

Ryan Allured, Randall L. McEntaffer, Edward Hertz, Peter N. Cheimets, Randall K. Smith

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Arcus is a mission concept for a next generation X-ray grating spectrometer. It will offer spectral resolution (λ/Δλ) greater than 2000 combined with over 500 cm2 of effective area in the 2.1-2.4 nm bandpass. These capabilities will elucidate the cycle of baryonic matter in and out of galaxies, the means by which supermassive black holes influence their surroundings, and the early formation and evolution of solar systems. We present the overall optical design of the mission, which features four arrays of silicon pore optics modules with four matching arrays of off-plane reflection grating modules. These optics disperse the incident X-rays over the 12 m focal length in four separate conical diffraction patterns onto CCD arrays at the focal plane. Each array of optics is an azimuthal sub-aperture of the typical Wolter telescope design, enabling enhanced spectral resolution due to an asymmetric point spread function. The theoretical spectral resolution, effective area, and alignment tolerances have been determined via raytrace modeling.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016
Subtitle of host publicationUltraviolet to Gamma Ray
EditorsMarshall Bautz, Tadayuki Takahashi, Jan-Willem A. den Herder
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510601895
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
EventSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: Jun 26 2016Jul 1 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9905
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period6/26/167/1/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optical design considerations and raytracing results for the Arcus grating spectrometer concept'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this