Large area x-ray collimator-the zone plate approach.

One question of particular interest in the measurement of x-ray imaging optics for space telescopes concerns the characteristics of the point spread function (PSF) in orbit and the focal length for an infinite source distance. In order to measure such a PSF, a parallel x-ray beam with a diameter of several centimeters to meters is required. For this purpose a large area transmission x-ray zone plate (ZP) for collimating x-ray beams has been designed, built, and tested. Furthermore we present a setup to determine large-scale aberrations of the collimated beam. From x-ray measurements we obtain an upper limit for the angular resolution of ±0.2 arc sec and a first-order diffraction efficiency of ≈13%. These results show that it is possible to use a ZP as a collimator for the PANTER x-ray test facility.

Toward the diffraction limit with transmissive x-ray lenses in astronomy.

We develop an analytical approach to refractive, blazed diffractive, and achromatic x-ray lenses of scalable dimensions for energies from 1 to 20 keV. Based on the parabolic wave equation, their wideband imaging properties are compared and optimized for a given spectral range. Low-Z lens materials for massive cores and rugged alternatives, such as polycarbonate or Si for flat Fresnel components, are investigated with respect to their suitability for diffraction-limited high-energy astronomy. Properly designed "hybrid" combinations can serve as an approach to x-ray telescopes with an enhanced efficiency throughout the whole considered band, nearly regardless of their inherent absorption.

Efficient Fresnel x-ray optics made simple.

A practical design for upcoming spaceborne x-ray telescopes with ultrahigh angular resolution is proposed. Particular attention is directed to technological simplicity and robust as well as cheap components. Based on dispersion corrected Fresnel lenses, an optimized arrangement will be identified with respect to the instrumental sensitivity for a given focal spot size. We show that this optical Gamow peak essentially depends on the radial transmission profile of a diffractive-refractive aperture. Examples for energies above 4 keV illustrate astronomical capabilities for large-scale compact and segmented objectives as well. The spectral and spatial resolutions of conventional semiconductor detectors are very well matched to imaging characteristics of those achromatic lenses. The constraints to fabrication techniques using most promising materials like Li, Be, and plastics are discussed.