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U.S. Department of Energy
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Uniformity results of the multilayer mirrors used in the ALEXIS ultrasoft x-ray telescopes

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7275674
The Array of Low Energy X-ray Imaging Sensors (ALEXIS) experiment, a mini-satellite containing six wide angle EUV/ultrasoft X-ray telescopes, is scheduled to be launched by a Pegasus rocket into a 425 nautical mile orbit in 1992 to observe cosmic X-rays. The telescopes utilize near normal incidence optics featuring a 12.8 cm diameter, 13.52 cm radius of curvature spherical mirror with a Mo/Si multilayer coating. The multilayer coatings are tuned to wavelengths of 133,171 and 186 {angstrom}. In addition, the top layers are comprised of a unique wavetrap'' designed to suppress the dominate background radiation at 304 {angstrom} from the geocorona. We present measured performance data for these mirrors including the two dimensional uniformity of the multilayer as a function of both radius and angular rotation, the measured reflectivity at the primary wavelength and the effectiveness of the wavetrap''. We also discuss problems encountered due to contamination and design changes that have been made to mitigate the effect of contamination.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
7275674
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-92-2457; CONF-920792--27; ON: DE92018611
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English