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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Design and mathematical analysis of a three-mirror X-ray telescope based on ATM S-056 X-ray telescope hardware

The mathematical design of the aspheric third mirror for the three-mirror X-ray telescope (TMXRT) is presented, along with the imaging characteristics of the telescope obtained by a ray trace analysis. The present design effort has been directed entirely toward obtaining an aspheric third mirror which will be compatible with existing S-056 paraboloidal-hyperboloidal mirrors. This compatability will facilitate the construction of a prototype model of the TMXRT, since it will only be necessary to fabricate one new mirror in order to obtain a working model.

Foreman, J. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Next-Generation Hard X-ray Missions: SuperHERO and HEROIX

High-energy X-ray observations have transformed our understanding of astrophysical systems where non-thermal processes dominate, from shock-accelerated particles in supernova remnants to relativistic jets and hot coronae in active galactic nuclei. NuSTAR’s pioneering focusing images of the hard X-ray sky have demonstrated the immense scientific potential of this band, while also highlighting how limited angular resolution constrains our ability to fully characterize complex physical processes in faint extended sources and resolving faint sources in crowded sky regions. In this presentation, I will discuss a pathway to overcome these challenges through NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s replicated NiCo full-shell X-ray mirror technology. Specifically, I will discuss the SuperHERO hard X-ray telescope to achieve better than 10-arcsecond half-power diameter (HPD) angular resolution on a balloon flight observing the Crab Nebula, and the High EneRgy Observatory for Imaging X-rays (HEROIX) Medium-Class Mission concept to achieve an integrated effective area of 570 cm2 at 30 keV with 5 arcsec HPD angular resolution.

AGN↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

SuperHERO X-ray Telescope Balloon Mission

The SuperHERO hard X-ray telescope will observe extended sources at unprecedented imaging resolution, revealing the origins of non-thermal emission in extreme astrophysical environments. Employing NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s replicated NiCo full-shell X-ray mirror technology to achieve better than 10-arcsecond half-power diameter (HPD) angular resolution on a balloon platform, SuperHERO consists of seven identical, co-aligned telescopes with a combined effective area of 45 cm² at 30 keV. SuperHERO was selected in the APRA 2023 call as a five-year mission, with an inaugural two-day flight scheduled from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in the fall of 2028. For its initial target, SuperHERO will observe the Crab pulsar wind nebula, localizing hard X-ray emission. Mission development is currently underway, with updates and status to be provided in this presentation.

Nick Thomas↗
NASA NTRS1972

Research study on stellar X-ray imaging experiment, volume 1

The use of microchannel plates as focal plane readout devices and the evaluation of mirrors for X-ray telescopes applied to stellar X-ray imaging is discussed. The microchannel plate outputs were either imaged on a phosphor screen which was viewed by a low light level vidicon or on a wire array which was read out by digitally processing the output of a charge division network attached to the wires. A service life test which was conducted on two image intensifiers is described.

Wilson, H. H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Three mirror glancing incidence system for X-ray telescope

A telescope suitable for soft X-ray astronomical observations consists of a paraboloid section for receiving rays at a grazing angle and a hyperboloid section which receives reflections from the paraboloid at a grazing angle and directs them to a predetermined point of focus. A second hyperboloid section is centrally located from the other two surfaces and positioned to reflect from its outer surface radiation which was not first reflected by the paraboloid. A shutter is included to assist in calibration.

Hoover, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

X-ray scattering study

A soft X-ray glancing incidence telescope mirror and a group of twelve optical flat samples were used to study the scattering of X-rays. The mirror was made of Kanigen coated beryllium and the images produced were severely limited by scattering of X-rays. The best resolution attained was about fifteen arc seconds. The telescope efficiency was found to be 0.0006. The X-ray beam reflected from the twelve optical flat samples was analyzed by means of a long vacuum system of special design for these tests. The scattering then decreased with increasing angle of incidence until a critical angle was passed. At larger angles the scattering increased again. The samples all scattered more at 44 A than at 8 A. Metal samples were found to have about the same scattering at 44 A but greater scattering at 8 A than glass samples.

Wriston, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Investigation of SL 1115 X-ray telescope

A polished Kanigen coated beryllium mirror to be used in a glancing incidence X-ray telescope was evaluated. X-ray photographs of the image of a standard high resolution test target were recorded at 8.34 A and the focal plane of the telescope was determined. Reflection efficiency data was obtained using proportional counters and sources at wavelengths of 8.34, 13.3, and 44 A. These data were compared with similar data taken with another metal mirror. The results of the comparison are that the mirror tested in this program shows better resolution and less scattering than the other mirror previously tested. This mirror was chosen as the flight mirror for the SL 1115 X-Ray Telescope to fly on a Skylark sounding rocket. Also, a position sensitive detector placed in the focal plane of the SL 1115 X-Ray Telescope (flight payload) was successfully calibrated using a 10 arc second point source and at wavelengths of 8.34, 13.3, 27, and 44 A.

Froechtenigt, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Study of X-ray optics

The testing is reported of a polished Kanigen coated beryllium mirror in a soft X-ray telescope to be flown on a Skylark sounding rocket. This test involved inserting the telescope in a 220 foot long vacuum line and taking photographs of an X-ray resolution source. These photographs were then used to evaluate the performance of the telescope mirror as a function of distance from the focal plane and the angular distance off the telescope axis. A second test was made in which a point source was used to study the imaging characteristics by means of a pinhole and proportional counter placed in the telescope focal plane. A third test was conducted using a position sensitive detector. The efficiency and resolution was increased by polishing.

Froechtenigt, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Rocket study of the X-ray background

The X-ray optical detection system flown on Aerobee 17.08 is described in detail, and the preliminary results of the 24 June 1971 flight are discussed. The optical design, fabrication and parabolic nature of the mirrors, effective aperture of mirror array, and X-ray detectors are considered. Preliminary analysis of data from the flight confirms the extended nature and complex structure of the X-ray source in Virgo. A core of X-ray emission is indicated which is approximately 0.5 deg in diameter and surrounded by an emitting region at least 2 deg across. The Virgo source spectrum is observed to have few low energy photons.

Fisher, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

LOXT mirror design study

The final report for the large orbiting X-ray telescope (LOXT) high resolution mirror design study is presented. The following tasks were performed: (1) Generation of a reference and alternate preliminary design for the LOXT high resolution mirror assembly, which will meet the LOXT scientific requirements, and are within the present state of the art of materials and fabrication techniques. (2) Measurement, in X-rays, of the scattering properties of a variety of optical flats, embodying materials, coatings, and polishing techniques which might be applicable to the flight configuration LOXT high resolution mirror. (3) Preparation of a procurement specification for a paraboloid test mirror of the size of the innermost paraboloid of the high resolution mirror assembly, including the design requirements for the reference design evolved from this preliminary design study. The results of the engineering and scientific analysis and the conclusions drawn are presented. The procurement specification for the test mirror is included.

Vanspeybroeck, L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Measurement of X-ray scattering by optical surfaces

Optical surfaces built for X-ray telescopes are made to reflect very short wavelengths that range in magnitude from 2 to 100 angstroms. Minor irregularities or contamination on sufrace of any telescope mirror can affect quality of optical image. Apparatus checks reflection of optical surfaces; scattering of X-rays is measured with angular accuracy of one arc-second.

Wriston, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Properties of vacuum-evaporated boron films

The work on the properties of thin boron films made by vacuum evaporation of elemental boron using an electron beam as the energy source is reported. The program aimed at characterizing the properties of vacuum evaporated films. The work was directed toward those variables considered to be important in affecting the tensile strength of the boron films. In general, the thickness of the films was less than 0.002 in. The temperature of the substrate on which the boron was condensed was found to be most important. Three distinctly different forms of boron deposit were produced. Although the transition temperature was not sharply defined, at substrate temperatures of less than approximately 600 deg C the boron deposits were amorphous to X-ray. If the substrate were highly polished, the deposits were black and mirror-like. For substrates with coefficients of thermal expansion close to that of boron, the deposits were then continuous and uncracked. The studies suggest that the potential continues to exist for film-type composites to have both high strength and high modulus.

Feakes, F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

High resolution studies of the solar X-ray corona from Aerobee rockets

The research in high resolution solar X-ray astronomy is reported. The payload for the Aerobee 150 launch vehicle, which included a 23 cm diameter mirror whose polished surface was a nickel-phosphorus alloy is discussed along with the high resolution measurements, by Flight 13.028 CS, of the temperature and density structure of the lower corona. Flight 13.029 CS is also discussed.

Davis, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Analytical study of the large orbital X-ray telescope imaging system

Results of an analytical study of the large orbital X-ray telescope (LOXT) are presented. The LOXT consists of a nested array of four conventional paraboloidal-hyperboloidal X-ray telescopes arranged with a common optical axis and a common focal plane. The composite nested array has a nominal effective focal length of 135.0 inches. The equations of the various mirror surfaces and the numerical values of the parameters in the defining equations are given in the technical specification sheets for the LOXT.

Foreman, J. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1971

A focusing collector for long wavelength X-ray astronomy.

Rocket studies of the low-energy X-ray sky conducted so far suffer from serious experimental problems. Therefore, an apparatus was design ed to overcome the outstanding experimental problems. The instrument developed was successfully flown in an Aerobee-170 rocket. The new device utilizes a grazing incidence paraboloid as an energy concentrator and low-pass filter. The effective bandpass of the instrument from 100 to 280 eV is determined by the combination of the counter window transmission and the mirror reflectivity.

Yentis, D. J.↗