X-ray Telescope Module for the LAMAR Space Shuttle Experiment

P. Gorenstein; L. Cohen; D. Fabricant

doi:10.1117/12.966570

14 July 1986 X-ray Telescope Module for the LAMAR Space Shuttle Experiment

P. Gorenstein, L. Cohen, D. Fabricant

Proceedings Volume 0597, X-Ray Instrumentation in Astronomy; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966570
Event: 1985 International Technical Symposium/Europe, 1985, Cannes, France

Abstract

The first of eight x-ray telescopes is under construction for the LAMAR experiment. Each consists of two orthogonal sets of nested confocal one-dimensional parabolic plates. The reflectors are made from gold-coated float glass, selected for flatness from commercial stock. Each is initially bent to a cylinder by bonding a thin, highly curved titanium sheet to its inactive surface. The final parabolic figure is produced by an automated system that operates under the control of an IBM XT microcomputer. The system includes seven diode arrays that detect a visible light line image. Eight precise motorized linear translators operating under the control of the computer, tune the plate to the optimum figure. The plate is then fixed in position by epoxy bonds. The precision of the system is several seconds of arc, but the intrinsic flatness of the glass is expected to limit the half-power diameter (HPD) of the telescope to about 25 arcseconds. A prototype mirror made last year, with a less sophisticated system and with one-third the full number of plates not screened as stringently as our current stock, achieved a resolution of 35 arcseconds HPD. The new automated system will facilitate rapid, relatively low-cost production of mirror modules. It is applicable to the construction of larger mirror assemblies such as XMM with little increase in cost and complexity.

Citation Download Citation

P. Gorenstein, L. Cohen, and D. Fabricant "X-ray Telescope Module for the LAMAR Space Shuttle Experiment", Proc. SPIE 0597, X-Ray Instrumentation in Astronomy, (14 July 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966570

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available