Technology requirements for a square meter, arcsecond resolution telescope for x-rays: The SMART-X mission

Daniel A. Schwartz, Ryan Allured, Jay A. Bookbinder, Vincenzo Cotroneo, William R. Forman, Mark D. Freeman, Stuart McMuldroch, Paul B. Reid, Harvey Tananbaum, Alexey A. Vikhlinin, Raegan L. Johnson-Wilke, Susan E. Trolier-McKinstry, Rudeger H.T. Wilke, Thomas N. Jackson, J. Israel Ramirez, Mikhail V. Gubarev, Jeffery J. Kolodziejczak, Stephen L. O'Dell, Brian D. Ramsey

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

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Addressing the astrophysical problems of the 2020's requires sub-arcsecond x-ray imaging with square meter effective area. Such requirements can be derived, for example, by considering deep x-ray surveys to find the young black holes in the early universe (large redshifts) which will grow into the first super-massive black holes. We have envisioned a mission, the Square Meter Arcsecond Resolution Telescope for X-rays (SMART-X), based on adjustable x-ray optics technology, incorporating mirrors with the required small ratio of mass to collecting area. We are pursuing technology which achieves sub-arcsecond resolution by on-orbit adjustment via thin film piezoelectric "cells" deposited directly on the non-reflecting sides of thin, slumped glass. While SMART-X will also incorporate state-of-the-art x-ray cameras, the remaining spacecraft systems have no requirements more stringent than those which are well understood and proven on the current Chandra X-ray Observatory.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdaptive X-Ray Optics III
EditorsStephen L. O'Dell, Ali M. Khounsary
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781628412352
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
EventAdaptive X-Ray Optics III - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 17 2014 → …

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9208
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherAdaptive X-Ray Optics III
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period8/17/14 → …

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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

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