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Smart X-ray Optics for Large and Small Scale Applications

by Charlotte Hannah Feldman ยท 2009

ISBN:  Unavailable

Category: Unavailable

Page count: Unavailable

The Smart X-ray Optics project is a UK based consortium of eight institutions investigatingactive/adaptive X-ray optics for both large and small scale applications. The consortium is funded by a basic technology grant from the Engineering andPhysical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The large scale application is aimed towards future high angular resolution, largeX-ray telescopes for X-ray astronomy. The first prototype mirror incorporates piezoelectricdevices to a standard X-ray shell to enable the surface to be actively deformed. The aim is to achieve an angular resolution better than that currentlyavailable (e.g. Chandra 0.5?). The initial design is based on a thin nickel ellipsoidsegment on the back of which a series of thirty, curved piezoelectric actuators havebeen bonded. The small scale application is aimed at providing an X-ray focusing device, capableof producing a focused spot of?10?m, the same size as an average biological cellfor cancer research and studies. Current small scale devices, zone plates, are limitedby their focal length and aperture, and cannot be used at energies greater than1keV . In order to increase the workable X-ray energies, whilst still providing smallspot sizes over short distances, a new optic was designed. Micro Optical Arrays arebased on polycapillary or Micro Channel Plate optics (MCPs) and consist of a seriesof parallel channels, etched into silicon wafers. By the attachment of piezoelectricdevices, a device with a variable focal length can be created. The work presented within this thesis describes the design, metrology, modellingand X-ray testing of the first large adaptive X-ray optic and the theory, modellingand X-ray testing of the small scale optic. Summaries, conclusions and future workare also outlined.