Low Cost X-ray Optics for Studying StellarDynamo Cycles

Physics – Optics

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

Comparison of measured coronal X-ray variability over stellar magnetic dynamo cycles with theoretical models will yield new understanding of the solar magnetic dynamo cycle. We present the results of a study comparing surface roughnesses of three candidate materials for use as glancing angle X-ray reflectors. This work is part of a continuing effort by MSU's Solar Physics Group and Space Science Engineering Laboratory (SSEL) to design and build large aperture, low cost X-ray optics for space experiments. The MSU proposed SADE (Starspot and Dynamo Explorer) instrument would use arrays of nested Kirkpatrick-Baez reflectors, called STAX (Sade Telescope Array for X-rays), for long term measurements of soft X-ray fluxes from about a hundred nearby solar-type stars. The advantage of the STAX design is that it uses "off the shelf" materials bent to shape, which is far cheaper and easier to manufacture than the polished cylindrical optics typically used in X-ray telescopes. In order to determine whether off the shelf materials satisfy the stringent surface smoothness requirements for glancing angle reflectors, we have undertaken an atomic force microscope investigation of three candidate
materials. In addition, we compare the measured and theoretical diffraction pattern of our existing STAX test article. This comparison will provide insight into the suitability of the candidate material, as well as the feasibility of maintaining proper shape over the surface of the reflector by constraining the edges in precision machined grooves. This work is supported by a grant from MSU/NASA EPSCOR.

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