Arc-second alignment and bonding of International X-Ray Observatory mirror segments
Publication date: 30 July 2010
Authors: Evans, T., et al.
Journal: Proc. SPIE
Volume: 7732
Year: 2010
Copyright: SPIE
The optics for the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO) require alignment and integration of about fourteen thousand thin mirror segments to achieve the mission goal of 3.0 square meters of effective area at 1.25 keV with an angular resolution of five arc-seconds. These mirror segments are 0.4 mm thick, and 200 to 400 mm in size, which makes it hard not to impart distortion at the sub-arc-second level. This paper outlines the precise alignment, verification testing, and permanent bonding techniques developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). These techniques are used to overcome the challenge of aligning thin mirror segments and bonding them with arc-second alignment and minimal figure distortion. Recent advances in technology development in the area of permanent bonding have produced significant results. This paper will highlight the recent advances in alignment, testing, and permanent bonding techniques as well as the results they have produced.
This paper was presented at the SPIE conference on Astronomical Instrumentation 2010 conference.
Link to publication