Solar coronal studies using normal-incidence X-ray optics

We describe the progress which has been made in constructing a new type of X-ray telescope, which operates at normal incidence in the soft X-ray region by the use of multilayer coatings. The principles involved in state-of-the-art multilayer technology and some recent high-resolution imaging results are discussed. A rocket payload incorporating a multilayer X-ray mirror is presently being constructed. It is of Ritchey-Chretien design and the expected spatial resolution is $\text{1}\text{4}\text{arcsec}$. The scientific program for solar coronal studies and future instrumental developments are also discussed.     

Development and performance of a position sensitive proportion counter for the rosat project

A multiwire proportional counter capable of imaging soft X-rays has been constructed. The position of an incident photon is obtained by measuring the induced charge signals on two orthogonal sets of cathode wire grids. The anode signal is used as trigger and energy signal. At a photon energy of 0.94 keV the achieved position resolution is 300 μm (FWHM), and the energy resolution is 45% (FWHM). With a five sided anticoincidence the background rejection efficiency is 90–95%.A small version of the counter has successfully been flown twice on sounding rocket payloads. X-ray images of the supernova remnants Puppis A and Cassiopeia A have been taken. As the prime focal plane detector for the ROSAT project we are building a version with an aperture of 80 mm.     

A hybrid X-ray imaging spectrometer for NeXT and the next generation X-ray satellite

We propose a new type of wide band X-ray imaging spectrometer as a focal plane detector of the super mirror onboard on future X-ray missions including post Astro-E2. This camera is realized by the hybrid of back illumination CCDs and a back supportless CCD for 0.05–10 keV band, and a Micro Pixel Gas Chamber detecting X-rays at 10–80 keV.     

空间相机桁架支撑结构满应力优化设计与试验

针对空间相机桁架式支撑结构在设计过程中难以同时保证重量轻且刚度高的问题, 提出了采用满应力方法对桁架杆截面进行优化设计的思想. 以桁架杆重量最低为优化目标, 桁架杆自重变形和桁架的一阶固有频率为约束条件, 桁架杆截面的内外径为优化变量, 建立了基于满应力准则的优化模型. 经过优化, 桁架杆截面的外径为50mm, 内径40mm, 质量6.1kg, 一阶固有频率121Hz. 采用有限元法对优化结果进行模态校核和重力变形校核, 同时为检验碳纤维复合材料的热稳定性, 对桁架组件进行了热变形分析, 得到次镜的偏心和偏转均满足光学设计要求. 对优化设计出的桁架组件进行了0.2g扫频试验以及尺寸稳定性试验. 试验结果表明, 桁架组件一阶固有频率119Hz 与理论分析结果基本吻合; 在45N外力载荷和15°C均匀温升载荷的作用下, 桁架稳定性能良好, 次镜的偏心和偏转均小于5", 满足光学设计要求. 优化设计出的桁架支撑结构具有刚度高、尺寸稳定等特点, 这为实现空间相机向大口径、长焦距、轻型化方向发展奠定了研究基础.      

Sensitivity analysis of test methods for aspheric off-axis mirrors

Following the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the next generation James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is being developed to be launched in a few years. JWST will be a segmented mirror telescope with a design much like that developed for ground-based telescopes over the past 20 years. Several segmented mirror telescopes are currently in operation, and next generation ground-based telescopes of the 30-m class are also being designed using segmented primary mirrors. Regardless of size, segmented primary mirror telescopes often require the use of aspheric segment mirrors. One of the key factors in fabrication of aspheric segment mirrors is feasibility of testing off-axis surfaces with high accuracy. A couple of test methods have been investigated for aspheric off-axis segments. As a case study, we apply these test methods to secondary segmented mirror models of the Giant Magellan Telescope. We derive required dimensions of test set-ups and assess sensitivity of optical alignment. Characteristics of the test methods are also discussed.     

The ROSAT mission

A primary scientific objective of the ROSAT mission is to perform the first all-sky survey with an imaging X-ray telescope leading to an improvement in sensitivity by several orders of magnitude compared with previous surveys. A large number of new sources (? 10⁵) will be discovered and located with an accuracy of 1 arcmin or better. These will comprise almost all astronomical objects from nearby normal stars to distant quasistellar objects. After completion of the survey which will take half a year the instrument will be used for detailed observations of selected sources with respect to spatial structure, spectra and time variability. In this mode which will be open for guest observers ROSAT will provide substantial improvement over the imaging instruments of the Einstein observatory.The main ROSAT telescope consists of a fourfold nested mirror system with 83 cm aperture having three focal plane instruments. Two of them will be imaging proportional counters (0.1 – 2 keV) providing a field of view of 2°, an angular resolution of ≈ 30″ in the pointing mode and a spectral resolution ^ΔE/E ≈ 45% FWHM at 1 keV. The third focal instrument will be a high resolution imager (≈ 3″). The main ROSAT telescope will be complemented by a parallel looking Wide Field camera which extend the spectral coverage into the XUV band.     

Comprehensive comparison of VHR 3D spatial data acquired from IKONOS and TerraSAR-X imagery

With the launch of very high resolution (VHR) optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing satellites such as IKONOS and TerraSAR-X, a new era has begun in 3D spatial data acquirement. IKONOS provided the first VHR data is still being preferred for many remote sensing applications. TerraSAR-X is considered as a revolution in SAR imaging as a result of 1 m resolution imaging capability. The imaging principles of these satellites are quite different and include advantages and disadvantages that have considerable effects on the quality of acquired 3D spatial data.     

The ROSAT all-sky survey

The ROSAT (Röntgensatellit) X-ray astronomy satellite has completed the first all-sky X-ray and XUV survey with imaging telescopes. About 60,000 new X-ray and 400 new XUV /1/ sources were detected. This contribution will deal with preliminary results from the ROSAT ALL-SKY X-RAY SURVEY. The ROSAT diffuse and point-source X-ray skymaps, the positional accuracy obtained for the X-ray sources, and a few results from correlations performed with available catalogues in various energy bands like the Radio, Infrared, Visible, UV, and hard X-rays as well as identifications from optical follow-up observations are presented.     

扫描辐射计内光路反射镜中SiO2／Ag薄膜系统的失效分析

SiO_2/Ag薄膜系统是扫描辐射计内光路反射镜的主要组成部分。采用高分辨扫描俄歇微探针(SAM)和扫描电镜分析对SiO_2/Ag 薄膜系统失效进行了较为全面的分析研究。通过扫描电镜观察发现,失效的反射镜表面SiO_2薄膜上存在大量析出物,借助于SAM分析,表明这些析出物主要是银和铜,析出物表面伴随有硫化和氧化。SAM的深度剖面结果说明,有析出物存在的区域,各薄膜层中存在原子间的扩散。文章就反射镜中Ag、Cu、和O的扩散和穿透行为进行了讨论,认为SiO_2薄膜致密度较差是导致反射镜失效的主要原因之一。     

Large light X-ray optics: basic ideas and concepts

One of the main guidelines for future X-ray astronomy projects like, e.g., XEUS (ESA) and Generation-X (NASA) is to utilize grazing-incidence focusing optics with extremely large telescopes (several tens of m² at 1 keV), with a dramatic increase in collecting area of about two order of magnitude compared to the current X-ray telescopes. In order to avoid the problem of the source's confusion limit at low fluxes, the angular resolution required for these optics should be superb (a few arcsec at most). The enormous mirror dimensions together with the high imaging performances give rise to a number of manufacturing problems. It is basically impossible to realize so large mirrors from closed Wolter I shells which benefit from high mechanical stiffness. Instead the mirrors need to be formed as rectangular segments and a series of them will be assembled in a petal. Taking into account the realistic load capabilities of space launchers, to be able to put in orbit so large mirror modules the mass/geometric-area ratio of the optics should be very small. Finally, with a so large optics mass it would be very difficult to provide the electric power for an optics thermal active control, able to maintain the mirrors at the usual temperature of 20 °C. Therefore, very likely, the optics will instead operate in extreme thermal conditions, with the mirror temperature oscillating between −30 and −40 °C, that tends to exclude the epoxy replication approach (the mismatch between the CTE of the substrate and that of the resin would cause prohibitively large deformations of the mirror surface profiles). From these considerations light weight materials with high thermal–mechanical properties such as glass or ceramics become attractive to realize the mirrors of future Xray telescopes. In this paper, we will discuss a segments manufacturing method based on Borofloat^TM glass. A series of finite element analysis concerning different aspects of the production, testing and integration of the optics are also presented as well.     

Recent studies of the optical counterpart of GX 1+4

The galactic X-ray source GX 1+4 has been undergoing remarkable changes since early 1991. The X-ray pulsar has shown fast spin down accompanied by an increase in the hard X-ray intensity. We have obtained 1.6Å resolution spectra of the optical counterpart extending the known spectrum to 8500Å. The Ca II (8498Å) line seen for the first time from this source is indicative of a nova burst scenario. Other lines detected for the first time are detailed and the significance of these features is discussed.     

Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM) on-board Chandrayaan-2 orbiter

The remote X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful technique to investigate the elemental abundances in the atmosphere-less planetary bodies. The experiment involves measuring spectra of fluorescent X-rays from lunar surface using a low energy X-ray detector onboard an orbiting satellite. Since the flux of fluorescent X-ray lines critically depend on the flux and spectrum of the incident solar X-rays, it is essential to have simultaneous and accurate measurement of X-ray from both Moon and Sun. In the context of Moon, this technique has been employed since early days of space exploration to determine elemental composition of lunar surface. However, so far it has not been possible to exploit it to its full potential due to various reasons. Therefore it is planned to continue the remote X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy experiment on-board Chandrayaan-2 which includes both lunar X-ray observations and solar X-ray observations as two separate payloads. The lunar X-ray observations will be carried out by Chandra Large Area Soft x-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) experiment; whereas the solar X-ray observations will be carried out by a separate payload, Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM). Here we present the overall design of the XSM instrument, the present development status as well as preliminary results of the laboratory model testing. XSM instrument will have two packages namely – XSM sensor package and XSM electronics package. XSM will accurately measure spectrum of Solar X-rays in the energy range of 1–15 keV with energy resolution ∼200 eV @ 5.9 keV. This will be achieved by using state-of-the-art Silicon Drift Detector (SDD), which has a unique capability of maintaining high energy resolution at very high incident count rate expected from Solar X-rays. XSM onboard Chandrayaan-2 will be the first experiment to use such detector for Solar X-ray monitoring.     

X-ray imaging techniques— modulation collimator and coded mask

Imaging over the hard X-ray energy band may be achieved by masking the flux with proper obstacles. The imaging modulation collimator has been developed and has been applied thus far, e.g., to produce hard X-ray pictures of the solar flare and to construct the X-ray image of the Crab Nebula up to the angular resolution of ～ 10 arcsec. Variations of the concept such as the Fourier Transform Telescope are discussed. Virtue of the modulation collimator is that high angular resolution may be achieved with a relatively simple detector system and that a wide field of view may be accomodated. Among several proposed coded masks, the techniques of Hadamard transform are discussed in some details. The coded mask is provided with a better total transmission, but its angular resolution is limited due to presently limited spatial resolution of the detector. Developments of the technique of the position sensitive detector are awaited for further improvements of the resolution.     

Progress on Solar Physics Research in China

The progress on Chinese Space Solar Telescope (SST) in 2002-2004 is introduced. The documentations on plans and outlines based on the standards of Chinese aerospace industry for SST mission has been fulfilled. The key technical problems of SST satellite platform and payloads are tackled during pre-study stage of the mission. The laboratory assembly and calibration of the main optical telescope of 1.2 m spherical mirror and 1 m plain mirror have been carried out with the accuracy of λ/40 and λ/30, respectively. The prototype at 17.1 nm for extreme ultraviolet telescope is under development and manufacture with a diameter of 13 cm. Its primary and secondary mirrors have a manufacturing error of 5 nm with a roughness degree of less than 0.5 nm and a multiplayer reflection factor of better than 20%. The on-board scientific data processing unit has been developed. Prototypes for other payloads such as H. and white light telescope, wide band spectroscopy in high energy and solar and interplanetary radio spectrometer have been developed accordingly.     

Progress on Space Solar Telescope in 2002-2004

The progress on Chinese Space Solar Telescope (SST) in 2002-2004 is introduced. The documentations on plans and outlines based on the standards of Chinese aerospace industry for SST mission has been fulfilled. The key technical problems of SST satellite platform and payloads are tackled during pre-study stage of the mission. The laboratory assembly and calibration of the main optical telescope of 1.2 m spherical mirror and 1 m plain mirror have been carried out with the accuracy of λ/40 and λ/30, respectively. The prototype at 17.1 nm for extreme ultraviolet telescope is under development and manufacture with a diameter of 13 cm. Its primary and secondary mirrors have a manufacturing error of 5nm with a roughness degree of less than 0.5 nm and a multiplayer reflection factor of better than 20%. The on-board scientific data processing unit has been developed. Prototypes for other payloads such as H and white light telescope, wide band spectroscopy in high energy and solar and interplanetary radio spectrometer have been developed accordingly.     

A broad spectral band Indian Astronomy satellite ‘Astrosat’

Astrosat will be the first full-fledged Indian Astronomy mission aimed at multiwavelength studies in the optical, near- and far-UV and a broad X-ray spectral band covering 0.5–100 keV. This mission will have the capability of high time-resolution X-ray studies (10 μs timing), low and medium energy-resolution spectral studies and high angular-resolution (about 2″) imaging observations in the UV and optical bands simultaneously. This is realized by using a set of three co-aligned X-ray astronomy instruments and one UV imaging telescope consisting of two similar instruments. Detection and timing studies of X-ray transients and persisting sources will be done by a Scanning Sky X-ray Monitor. This mission will enable studies of different classes of galactic and extragalactic sources in the frontier area of high energy astronomy. Scientific objectives of the mission are highlighted in this paper. A brief summary of the design and characteristics of the X-ray and UV instruments and their expected sensitivities are presented.     

星载辐射计扫描镜太阳辐射热-结构建模与仿真

三轴稳定卫星平台搭载的光学有效载荷都存在午夜太阳辐射干扰问题,由此产生的热变形效应对光学系统的成像品质影响显著。采用复杂外热流近似建模技术,以及多软件耦合有限元仿真方法,以FY-4卫星的扫描辐射计为应用背景,研究了昼夜太阳辐射对星载辐射计扫描镜产生的热效应,并对不同热设计条件下的工况进行了对比分析。分析结果显示：扫描镜侧面及背面的热控涂层选取对其热变形有重要影响,但是仅仅通过热设计解决温度波动和热变形的矛盾是不够的,需要通过改进扫描镜的材料和优化光机结构加以改善。     

JUXTA: A new probe of X-ray emission from the Jupiter system

For the future Japanese exploration mission of the Jupiter’s magnetosphere (JMO: Jupiter Magnetospheric Orbiter), a unique instrument named JUXTA (Jupiter X-ray Telescope Array) is being developed. It aims at the first in-situ measurement of X-ray emission associated with Jupiter and its neighborhood. Recent observations with Earth-orbiting satellites have revealed various X-ray emission from the Jupiter system. X-ray sources include Jupiter’s aurorae, disk emission, inner radiation belts, the Galilean satellites and the Io plasma torus. X-ray imaging spectroscopy can be a new probe to reveal rotationally driven activities, particle acceleration and Jupiter–satellite binary system. JUXTA is composed of an ultra-light weight X-ray telescope based on micromachining technology and a radiation-hard semiconductor pixel detector. It covers 0.3–2 keV with the energy resolution of <100 eV at 0.6 keV. Because of proximity to Jupiter (∼30 Jovian radii at periapsis), the image resolution of <5 arcmin and the on-axis effective area of >3 cm² at 0.6 keV allow extremely high photon statistics and high resolution observations.     

Possible Suzaku detection of non-thermal X-ray signals from a rotating magnetized white dwarf

Although rotating neutron stars (NSs) have been regarded as being textbook examples of astrophysical particle acceleration sites for decades, details of the acceleration mechanism remain a mystery; for example, we cannot yet observationally distinguish “polar cap” models from “outer gap” models. To solve the model degeneracy, it is useful to study similar systems with much different physical parameters. Strongly magnetized white dwarfs (WDs) are ideal for this purpose, because they have essentially the same system geometry as NSs, but differ largely from NSs in the system parameters, including the size, magnetic field, and the rotation velocity, with the induced electric field expected to reach 10¹³–10¹⁴ eV. Based on this idea, the best candidate among WDs, AE Aquarii, was observed with the fifth Japaneses X-ray satellite, Suzaku. The hard X-ray detector (HXD) on-board Suzaku has the highest sensitivity in the hard X-ray band over 10 keV. A marginal detection in the hard X-ray band was achieved with the HXD, and was separated from the thermal emission. The flux corresponds to about 0.02% of its spin-down energy. If the signal is real, this observation must be a first case of the detection of non-thermal emission from WDs.