Measurements of the hard-x-ray reflectivity of iridium.

In connection with the design of a hard-x-ray telescope for the Constellation X-Ray Observatory we measured the reflectivity of an iridium-coated zerodur substrate as a function of angle at 55, 60, 70, and 80 keV at the National Synchrotron Light Source of Brookhaven National Laboratory. The optical constants were derived from the reflectivity data. The real component of the index of refraction is in excellent agreement with theoretical values at all four energies. However, the imaginary component, which is related to the mass attenuation coefficient, is 50% to 70% larger at 55, 60, and 70 keV than theoretical values.

The elemental composition of asteroid 433 eros: results of the NEAR-shoemaker X-ray spectrometer

We report major element composition ratios for regions of the asteroid 433 Eros imaged during two solar flares and quiet sun conditions during the period of May to July 2000. Low aluminum abundances for all regions argue against global differentiation of Eros. Magnesium/silicon, aluminum/silicon, calcium/silicon, and iron/silicon ratios are best interpreted as a relatively primitive, chondritic composition. Marked depletions in sulfur and possible aluminum and calcium depletions, relative to ordinary chondrites, may represent signatures of limited partial melting or impact volatilization.

Design of grazing-incidence multilayer supermirrors for hard-x-ray reflectors.

Extremely broadband grazing-incidence multilayers for hard-x-ray reflection can be obtained by a gradual change of the layer thicknesses down through the structure. Existing approaches for designing similar neutron optics, called supermirrors, are shown to provide respectable performance when applied to x-ray multilayers. However, none of these approaches consider the effects of imperfect layer interfaces and absorption in the overlying layers. Adaptations of neutron designs that take these effects into account are presented, and a thorough analysis of two specific applications (a single hard-x-ray reflector and a hard-x-ray telescope) shows that an improved performance can be obtained. A multilayer whose bilayer thicknesses are given by a power law expression is found to provide the best solution; however, it is only slightly better than some of the adapted neutron designs.

High throughput x-ray optics: an overview.

Several x-ray astronomy missions of the 1990s will contain focusing telescopes with significantly more collecting power than the Einstein Observatory. There is increasing emphasis on spectroscopy. ESA's XMM with 10(4) cm(2) of effective area will be the largest. A high throughput facility with over 10(5) cm(2) of effective area and 20-sec of arc angular resolution is needed ultimately for various scientific studies such as high resolution spectroscopic observations of QSOs. At least one of the following techniques currently being developed for fabricating x-ray telescopes including automated figuring of flats as parabolic reflectors, replication of cylindrical shells, and the alignment of thin lacquer-coated conical foils is likely to permit the construction of modular arrays of telescopes with the area and angular resolution required.

X-ray performance of the LAMAR protoflight mirror.

A grazing incidence x-ray mirror in the Kirkpatrick-Baez geometry was constructed and tested. Its geometric aperture measures 20 by 30 cm and its length is 100 cm. The focal length is 3.4 m measured from the front to the focal plane. It is the first of eight mirrors to be built for the LAMAR experiment of the Shuttle High Energy Astrophysics Laboratory. Its angular resolution was measured at 1.5 and 6.4 keV in a quasiparallel x-ray beam at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The half-power width (HPW) of the resolution function projected along a horizontal axis is 31 sec of arc at both energies and in visible light. With the addition of small isolation pads the mirror is able to withstand the vibration and acceleration levels of a Space Shuttle launch. The resolution remains under 35-sec of arc HPW for changes in temperature of 9.5 degrees C and when a modest temperature gradient is imposed on the mirror.

Grazing incidence imaging from 10 to 40 keV.

The prospects for imaging x rays at energies from 10 to 40 keV with grazing incidence optics are explored. The scientific rationale and existing laboratory measurements are reviewed. Measurements of reflectivity using possible mirror materials are described. Iridium-coated float glass gives an improved performance over gold by the factor predicted by theory but both had a lower absolute level. This may be due to a lower density of the thin metal layer caused by the deposition method. The reflectivity of a sample of iridium-coated float glass was measured at small grazing angles (25-5 min of arc) at energies of 8, 17, and 26 keV. High reflectivity (>50%) was seen out to angles of 33, 16, and 11 min of arc, respectively. These are close to the theoretical values. A design for a high energy imaging telescope of the Explorer class is described.

Lexan coating to eliminate the UV sensitivity of soft x-ray proportional counters with a polypropylene window.

Lexan coatings on polypropylene windows can eliminate the UV sensitivity of soft x-ray proportional counters. A method is described for coating thin polypropylene films by dipping into and withdrawing from a volatile solution containing Lexan. The x-ray absorption of a typical Lexan coating was only 7% at 44 A which is small compared to that of 2 microm of polypropylene. The Lexan coatings are stable against vacuum cycling in an environment of UV irradiation. As an external, far-UV filter up to wavelengths of 2400 A, Lexan-coated polypropylene is an interesting alternative to metallic films, particularly when large area, high x-ray transmission, and strength are important.

Detection of radon emission at the edges of lunar maria with the apollo alpha-particle spectrometer.

The distribution of radioactive polonium-210, a decay product of radon-222, shows enhanced concentrations at the edges of lunar maria. Enhancements are seen at the edges of Mare Fecunditatis, Mare Crisium, Mare Smythii. Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Nubium, Mare Cognitum, and Oceanus Procellarum. The observation is indicative of the transient emission of radon gas from the perimeters of lunar maria.

Detection of a nonuniform distribution of polonium-210 on the moon with the apollo 16 alpha particle spectrometer.

The polonium-210 activity of the lunar surface is significantly larger than the activity of its progenitor radon-222. This result establishes unequivocally that radon emanation from the present-day moon varies considerably within the 21-year half-life of lead-210, the parent nuclide of polonium-210. There are large variations and well-localized enhancements in polonium-210 activity over much of the moon's surface.

Detection of radon emanation from the crater aristarchus by the apollo 15 alpha particle spectrometer.

The alpha particle spectrometer aboard the Apollo 15 command/service module was designed to detect alpha particles from radon decay and to locate regions with unusual activity on the moon. A significant increase in radon-222 activity was detected from a region containing the crater Aristarchus. The result is interpreted as probably indicating internal activity at the site. By analogy with terrestrial processes, increased radon emanation may be associated with the emission of other volatiles.

Apollo 16 Geochemical X-ray Fluorescence Experiment: Preliminary Report.

The lunar surface was mapped with respect to magnesium, aluminum, and silicon as aluminum/ silicon and magnesium/ silicon intensity ratios along the projected ground tracks swept out by the orbiting Apollo 16 spacecraft. The results confirm the observations made during the Apollo 15 flight and provide new data for a number of features not covered before. The data are consistent with the idea that the moon has a widespread differentiated crust (the highlands). The aluminum/ silicon and magnesium/ silicon concentration ratios correspond to those for anorthositic gabbros through gabbroic anorthosites or feldspathic basalts. The x-ray results suggest the occurrence of this premare crust or material similar to it at the Descartes landing site.

Apollo 15 Geochemical X-ray Fluorescence Experiment: Preliminary Report.

Although only part of the information from the x-ray fluorescence geochemical experiment has been analyzed, it is clear that the experiment was highly successful. Significant compositional differences among and possibly within the maria and highlands have been detected. When viewed in the light of analyzed lunar rocks and soil samples, and the data from other lunar orbital experiments (in particular, the Apollo 15 gamma-ray spectroscopy experiment), the results indicate the existence of a differential lunar highland crust, probably feldspathic. This crust appears to be related to the plagioclase-rich materials previously found in the samples from Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 14, Apollo 15, and Luna 16.

X-ray Structure of the Cygnus Loop.

X-ray emission from the Cygnus Loop was observed in the energy region around 0.2 to 1 kiloelectronvolt with a collector that focused x-rays along one dimension while scanning across the nebula. The total integrated intensity is 1.3x 10(-8) erg per square centimeter per second. The one-dimensional x-ray structure has the same angular size-about 3 degrees-as the outermost boundaries of the optical filaments. There is no increase in x-ray emission at the center of the nebula nor at the strong feature that is seen in certain radio maps. The x-ray spectrum is consistent with thermal radiation from a hot plasma at a temperature of about 4 x 10(6) degrees K with evidence for a line at 19 angstroms corresponding to the 2p-->1s transition of O VIII.