SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
LOW DISTORTION HIGH PERFORMANCE SUPERMIRROR COATINGS FOR HARD X- RAY TELESCOPES
Technical Abstract:
Graded multilayer coatings substantially enhance the X-ray reflectivity of optical
surfaces above the critical angle for incident energies up to approximately
100 keV, enabling the use of focusing optics well beyond the traditional
.1 - 10 keV band. The proposers at Osmic, Inc. have successfully deposited
graded multilayers of desired quality on thick, flat surfaces. We propose
the deposition of continuously-graded multilayers, or 'supermirrors' on
thin, large-area, flat substrates and thick, curved substrates. The
innovation
of deposition on thin, and curved substrates is critical for astrophysical
telescopes, which employ thin paraboloid/hyperboloid or conical mirror
shells.
The goals of this research effort are to (1) determine the compatibility of
multilayer coatings with various candidate substrate materials appropriate
for use as x-ray mirror shells, (2) to study and minimize the mechanical
stresses
introduced in the multilayer coatings, and (3) to establish a deposition
procedure for coating multilayers onto curved surfaces. The proposed phase
I
research is the first step required for the production of a hard x-ray
optic appropriate for astrophysical telescopes.
Potential Commercial Applications:
The successful completion of phase II will result in the production of a
prototype Wolter x-ray optic capable of focusing hard x-ray energies up to
100 keV. This advancement would be directly applicable to balloon and
satellite hard x-ray instruments. Hard x-ray focusing optics employing
multilayers will also find use in synchrotron applicatinos and in
medicine as a tool for the treatment of cancer.
Name and Address of Offeror:
Osmic, Inc.
1788 Northwood Drive
Troy, MI 48084
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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Hu, Hughes STX.
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Updated: Feb. 7, 1996