Improving the ruggedness of silicon pore optics

In this paper we present the latest developments on the ruggedisation of the Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) mirror modules. SPO is one of the candidate technologies for producing the X-ray optics for the future space based Xray telescope, the International X-ray Observatory (IXO). To produce SPO mirror modules, Si mirrors are first bonded together using direct Si bonding to form a stack. These stacks are the glued into brackets, which then connect to the supporting optical bench by invar pins. The combination of brackets and invar pins now forms a full isostatic mount, and is rugged enough to allow the mirror module to survive the high loads of a launch. The mounting system furthermore allows for a certain level of manufacturing tolerances for the support structure, and ensures interchangeability of the mirror modules within one single ring of the optical bench. To prove this, a test interface has been designed and manufactured, on which a single, full fledged mirror module will be mounted to be exposed to environmental tests.