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At least 55 records · Page 3

High energy collimating fine grids for HESP program

There is a need to develop fine pitch x-ray collimator grids as an enabling technology for planned future missions. The grids consist of an array of thin parallel strips of x-ray absorbing material, such as tungsten, with pitches ranging from 34 microns to 2.036 millimeters. The grids are the key components of a new class of spaceborne instruments known as 'x-ray modulation collimators.' These instruments are the first to produce images of celestial sources in the hard x-ray and gamma-ray spectral regions.

Eberhard, Carol D.↗

Large area soft x-ray collimator to facilitate x-ray optics testing

The first objective of this program is to design a nested conical foil x-ray optic which will collimate x-rays diverging from a point source. The collimator could then be employed in a small, inexpensive x-ray test stand which would be used to test various x-ray optics and detector systems. The second objective is to demonstrate the fabrication of the x-ray reflectors for this optic using lacquer-smoothing and zero-stress electroforming techniques.

Espy, Samuel L.↗

Light Collimator and Monitor for a Spectroradiometer

A system that comprises optical and electronic subsystems has been developed as an infrastructure for a spectroradiometer that measures time-dependent spectral radiance of the daylight sky, in a narrow field of view (having angular width of the order of 1 ) centered on the zenith, in several spectral bands in the wavelength range from 0.3 to 2.2 m. This system is used in conjunction with two commercially available monolithic spectrometers: a silicon-based one for wavelengths from 0.3 to 1.1 m and a gallium arsenide-based one for wavelengths from 1.05 to 2.2 m (see figure). The role of this system is to collect the light from the affected region of the sky, collimate the light, deliver the collimated light to the monolithic spectrometers, and process the electronic outputs of the spectrometers

Gore, Warren↗

Fabricating High-Resolution X-Ray Collimators

A process and method for fabricating multi-grid, high-resolution rotating modulation collimators for arcsecond and sub-arcsecond x-ray and gamma-ray imaging involves photochemical machining and precision stack lamination. The special fixturing and etching techniques that have been developed are used for the fabrication of multiple high-resolution grids on a single array substrate. This technology has application in solar and astrophysics and in a number of medical imaging applications including mammography, computed tomography (CT), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and gamma cameras used in nuclear medicine. This collimator improvement can also be used in non-destructive testing, hydrodynamic weapons testing, and microbeam radiation therapy.

Appleby, Michael↗

A Collimated Retarding Potential Analyzer for the Study of Magnetoplasma Rocket Plumes

A gridded retarding potential analyzer (RPA) has been developed to characterize the magnetized plasma exhaust of the 10 kW Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VX-10) experiment at NASA's Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory. In this system, plasma is energized through coupling of radio frequency waves at the ion cyclotron resonance (ICR). The particles are subsequently accelerated in a magnetic nozzle to provide thrust. Downstream of the nozzle, the RPA's mounting assembly enables the detector to make complete axial and radial scans of the plasma. A multichannel collimator can be inserted into the RPA to remove ions with pitch angles greater than approximately 1 deg. A calculation of the general collimator transmission as a function over velocity space is presented, which shows the instrument's sensitivity in detecting changes in both the parallel and perpendicular components of the ion energy. Data from initial VX-10 ICRH experiments show evidence of ion heating.

Glover, T. W.↗

Micro-Slit Collimators for X-Ray/Gamma-Ray Imaging

A hybrid photochemical-machining process is coupled with precision stack lamination to allow for the fabrication of multiple ultra-high-resolution grids on a single array substrate. In addition, special fixturing and etching techniques have been developed that allow higher-resolution multi-grid collimators to be fabricated. Building on past work of developing a manufacturing technique for fabricating multi-grid, high-resolution coating modulation collimators for arcsecond and subarcsecond x-ray and gamma-ray imaging, the current work reduces the grid pitch by almost a factor of two, down to 22 microns. Additionally, a process was developed for reducing thin, high-Z (tungsten or molybdenum) from the thinnest commercially available foil (25 microns thick) down to approximately equal to 10 microns thick using precisely controlled chemical etching

Appleby, Michael↗

Laser Beam Expander with Adjustable Collimation

A laser beam expander has at least two negative lenses with adjustable collimation. The amount of required motion can be reduced by an order of magnitude over single negative lens approaches by splitting the input lens in two and adjusting the small remaining air gap between the lenses. The change in collimation may be accomplished by heating/cooling (i.e., thermal), mechanical motion (e.g., motors), electro-optical means (e.g., applying or reducing an electric current), any combination thereof, or any other suitable mechanism.

Ramos-Izquierdo, Luis A.↗

The Realuminizing of the 7-Meter Diameter Solar Simulator Collimating Mirror

This paper describes the modification of a three-electron-beam (EB) gun system for vacuum depositing a highly reflective aluminum coating on a 7.01-m (23-ft) -diam nickel-plated aluminum collimating mirror. The mirror is part of the JPL 7.62-m space simulator that was recently modernized with a new high vacuum pumping system, solar lamp power supplies, solar optic lens system, and refurbished collimating mirror. The mirror is the primary reflector for the solar simulation system and the aluminized reflective surface is its most critical performance element. The uniformity of thickness and high reflectivity of the coating is visible and near-ultraviolet (UV) light governs the accuracy of the beam for solar testing. The uniformity of the thin-film thickness also controls the durability of the mirror over time.

solar↗

Fabricating Sub-collimating Grids for an X-ray Solar Imaging Spectrometer using LIGA Techniques

This paper describes fabrication of sub-collimating X-ray grids that are used in an instrument for the High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager ( HESSI ), a proposed NASA mission that will promote understanding of solar particle acceleration and explosive energy release in the magnetized plasmas at the Sun. The HESSI comprises 12 rotating pairs of high-aspect-ratio, high-Z grids; each pair is separated by 1.7 meters and backed by a single Ge detector.

x-ray↗

Fabricating Sub-Collimating Grids for an X-Ray Solar Imaging Spectrometer Using LIGA Techniques

A proposed NASA mission uses a High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (HESSI) to image solar X-rays. The HESSI instrument consists of twelve rotating pairs of high aspect ratio, high Z grids, each pair of which is separated by 1.7 meters and backed by a single Ge detector. Discussed are the fabrication of these proof-of-concept sub-collimating X-ray grids which are to be used in HESSI.

solar↗