Technologies for advanced X-ray mirror fabrication

Abstract

X-ray mirror fabrication for astronomy is challenging; this is due to the Wolter I optical geometry and the tight tolerances on roughness and form error to enable accurate and efficient X-ray reflection. The performance of an X-ray mirror, and ultimately that of the telescope, is linked to the processes and technologies used to create it. The goal of this chapter is to provider the reader with an overview of the different technologies and processes used to create the mirrors for X-ray telescopes. The objective is to present this diverse field in the framework of the manufacturing methodologies (subtractive, formative, fabricative & additive) and how these methodologies influence the telescope attributes (angular resolution and effective area). The emphasis is placed upon processes and technologies employed in recent X-ray space telescopes and those that are being actively investigated for future missions such as Athena and concepts such as Lynx. Speculative processes and technologies relating to Industry 4.0 are introduced to imagine how X-ray mirror fabrication may develop in the future.