Development of off-plane gratings for WHIMex and IXO
2011
Future X-ray astronomical missions will need to address a number of important goals such as studying the dynamics of
clusters of galaxies, determining how elements are created in the explosions of massive stars, and revealing most of the
"normal" matter in the universe which is currently thought to be hidden in hot filaments of gas stretching between
galaxies. In order to achieve these goals, spectrometers capable of high resolution and high throughput are necessary for
the lowest X-ray energies, 0.3-1.0 keV. We present recent progress in the development of off-plane reflection grating
technology for use on upcoming missions. Off-plane grating spectrometers consist of an array of gratings capable of
reaching resolutions above 3000 (λ/Δλ). Concept designs have been made for the International X-ray Observatory X-ray
Grating Spectrometer. More recently however, we have designed an Optics Module Assembly for WHIMex, an
Explorer mission concept that incorporates a Wolter telescope, steering flats, and an array of gratings. This paper will
discuss these designs and the application of off-plane arrays for the future.
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