The high throughput X-ray spectroscopy mission XMM is the second cornerstone project in the European Space Agency (ESA) long-term program for space science. This observatory has at its heart three large X-ray telescopes, which will provide a large collecting area (1450 cm each at 1.5 keV and 600 cm2 each at 8.0 keV) with a spatial resolution around 15 arcesec. Five Flight models (including the two spare ones) of the XMM X-ray telescope have been delivered to ESA in 1998. They show optical performance. which is far better than the specifications, especially in terms of optical and X-ray stray light reduction. The low level of X-ray stray light will be an important benefit for the observation of the extended faint sources such as super nova . remnants or clusters of active galaxies. This reduction of X-ray stray light is due, in particular. to the implementation of a very complex and accurate X-ray baffle mounted at the entrance of the telescope.In this paper, we present first the need, the design. the , manufacturing and the integration of the X-ray baffle. Then, we concentrate on the verification of the performance of the baffle at ; the Centre Spatial de Liege. Finally, we will present the excellent results obtained with these baffles.1.
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