The square meter arcsecond resolution X-ray telescope: SMART-X

Daniel A. Schwartz, Thomas L. Aldcroft, Jay A. Bookbinder, Vincenzo Cotroneo, William N. Davis, William R. Forman, Mark D. Freeman, Stuart McMuldroch, Paul Reid, Harvey Tananbaum, Alexey Vikhlinin, Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Derek Wilke, Raegan Johnson-Wilke

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

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe an X-ray Observatory mission with 0.5" angular resolution, comparable to the Chandra X-ray Observatory, but with 30 times more effective collecting area. The concept is based on developing the new technology of adjustable X-ray optics for ultra thin (0.4 mm), highly nested grazing incidence X-ray mirrors. Simulations to date indicate that the corrections for manufacturing and mounting can be determined on the ground and the effects of gravity release can be calculated to sufficient accuracy, so that all adjustments are applied only once on-orbit, without the need of any on-orbit determination of the required corrections. The mission concept is based on the Chandra Observatory, and takes advantage of the technology studies which have taken place over the past fifteen years developing large area, light weight mirrors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdaptive X-Ray Optics II
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventAdaptive X-Ray Optics II - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Aug 14 2012Aug 14 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume8503
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherAdaptive X-Ray Optics II
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period8/14/128/14/12

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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