Initial findings in full-shell, active optics

The realization of active full-shell x-ray optics will provide groundbreaking capability for future missions. Future X-ray missions, such as Lynx, require high angular resolution, large effective area, and as wide a field of view (FOV) as possible. It is currently not possible to perform high-resolution imaging of both wide and narrow FOVs with a single X-ray telescope. In this paper, we discuss the use of actuators to switch the optical surface of full shell x-ray optics between prescriptions optimized for narrow-field and wide-field viewing, as well as correct for low-spatial-frequency errors in the optics. Previously, a pathfinder was developed using finite-element modeling (FEM). Using a combination of the model’s influence functions, the capacity of active full-shell optics was shown to switch between prescriptions with high accuracy. The analytical pathfinder also demonstrates the capability to correct low-spatial frequency errors, which comprise a large percentage of the MSFC full-shell x-ray optics root-mean-square (RMS) slope error. In order to verify the pathfinder, a surface-parallel actuator was bonded to a nickel-replicated coupon. After the actuator was bonded to the coupon, the slope of the surface was measured while the actuator was activated. The proof-of-concept demonstrator development, the influence function data, and the resulting implications on the analytical pathfinder are reported and discussed.