Metrology of ultralightweight x-ray optics using noncontact laser triangulation probe

We are reporting our progress in the measurements of thin glass optics under development for the soft X-ray telescope for the Constellation-X space observatory. We are using a Non-Contact laser probe (which uses triangulation techniques to measure displacement) to determine the surface shape of our ultra-lightweight mirrors. If this technique meets technical specifications we will for the first time have mapped the 3 dimensional surfaces of ultra-lightweight optics. As a secondary project, we are also automating this entire process which will give us better repeatability.