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Single-Layer and Multilayer Coatings for Astronomical X-Ray Mirrors

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Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics

Abstract

The bandpass of an X-ray telescope is defined by its reflecting surface, which most commonly is a thin film coating, either as a single-layer, bi-layer, or a multilayer coating. Mirror coatings are made to enhance the telescope performance, and by careful design, they can shape the energy response for very specific applications. In this chapter we review the topic of thin film coating essential for the performance of most astrophysical X-ray missions. We discuss the theory behind X-ray reflection and refraction utilized for thin film coatings and address the design challenges for single-layer, bi-layer, and multilayer coating, as well as the properties of the most typical coating materials. We summarize fabrication methods and discuss the measuring techniques in use for characterizing thin film coatings. Important aspects of stability are presented, and we provide a thorough review on the issue stress, which will play an essential role in next-generation high angular resolution imaging telescope.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRESST and X-ray Astrophysics Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

    Kristin K. Madsen

  2. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, AL, USA

    David Broadway

  3. DTU Space – Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

    Desiree Della Monica Ferreira

Authors
  1. Kristin K. Madsen
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  2. David Broadway
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  3. Desiree Della Monica Ferreira
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Desiree Della Monica Ferreira .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Cosimo Bambi

  2. Inst. for Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Andrea Santangelo

Section Editor information

  1. NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama, USA

    Jessica Gaskin

  2. Brera Astronomical Observatory, INAF - Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Milan, Italy

    Daniele Spiga

  3. Astronomical Institute/CAS, Czechia, Czech Republic

    René Hudec

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Madsen, K.K., Broadway, D., Ferreira, D.D.M. (2022). Single-Layer and Multilayer Coatings for Astronomical X-Ray Mirrors. In: Bambi, C., Santangelo, A. (eds) Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4544-0_4-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4544-0_4-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-4544-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-4544-0

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