Silicon Pore Optics for IXO

The future X-ray astrophysics missions after XMM and Chandra will require novel optics to be developed, in order to provide the combination of large effective area, low mass and adequate angular resolution. In particular the IXO mission candidate, as selected in the first slice of the Cosmic Vision 1525 programme, has stringent and demanding requirements on the performance of the required X-ray optics forming the core of the mission concept. In a series of activities led and funded by ESA, an extensive consortium of European industries and institutions is working on the development of the Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) X-ray optics technology. The novel technology is using the latest generation Silicon wafers as starting material to produce highly modular high performance X-ray optics. Excellent quality mirror plates have been produced and successfully stacked into modules and assembled into petals. The mirror elements are fully mounted into double-reflection mirror modules and tested both at synchrotron radiation facilities and at the full illumination Panter facility. Mirror Effective Area 3 m2 @1.25 keV 0.65 m2 @ 6 keV with a goal of 1 m2 150 cm2 @ 30 keV with a goal of 350 cm2 Black hole evolution, large scale structure, cosmic feedback, EOS Strong gravity, EOS Cosmic acceleration, strong gravity Field of View FOV = 18’ diameter X-ray surveys, Large scale structure Mirror Angular Resolution ≤5 arc sec HPD (0.1 – 10 keV) 30 arc sec HPD (10 40 keV) with a goal of 5 arc sec Large scale structure, cosmic feedback, black hole evolution, missing baryons Black hole evolution Science Performance Requirements (optics)