Ray-tracing code for x-ray telescope performance prediction

Future X-ray missions plan to utilize grazing incidence optics with very large diameter, very low angular resolutions and very light structural masses. These extremely severe requirements make the structural numerical modelling an essential tool, in order to investigate the structural integrity and the distortions of the optics, in the different scenarios on ground and on orbit. The paper presents a ray tracing code, interfaced with general purpose finite element codes, able to predict the optical performances degradation coming from any sort of mirror distortion previously analysed by finite element approach. By the combination of the two tools, finite element analysis and ray tracing code, it becomes possible to simulate a very wide range of scenarios during the telescope design and optimization. The paper shows the main features of the ray tracing code, giving some examples taken from the most recent activities carried out for present and future X ray missions.