Optics for the imaging x-ray polarimetry explorer

Abstract

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, a NASA small explorer mission, will be the first mission dedicated to x-ray polarimetry. The payload consists of three identical telescopes, each comprising a mirror module assembly (MMA) with a polarization-sensitive detector at its focus. We describe all aspects of the MMA, from initial optical and mechanical design considerations to meet program requirements through mirror shell fabrication, mirror shell integration and module assembly, environmental testing, x-ray calibration, and on-ground and on-orbit alignment.

X-Ray Polarization of the Eastern Lobe of SS 433

“…IXPE is the first satellite mission dedicated to X-ray polarimetry in the 2-8 keV band (Weisskopf et al 2022). It contains three X-ray telescopes, each consisting of a Mirror Module Assembly (Ramsey et al 2022) and a polarization-sensitive gaspixel detector unit (DU; Costa et al 2001;Baldini et al 2021;Soffitta et al 2021), that enable imaging X-ray polarimetry of extended sources. IXPE provides an angular resolution of ∼30″ 52 Deceased.…”

Discovery of X-Ray Polarization from the Black Hole Transient Swift J1727.8−1613

“…IXPE is the first satellite mission dedicated to X-ray polarimetry in the 2-8 keV band (Weisskopf et al 2022). It carries three X-ray telescopes, each made of a mirror module assembly (Ramsey et al 2022) and a polarization-sensitive gaspixel detector unit (Baldini et al 2021;Soffitta et al 2021), which enable imaging X-ray polarimetry of extended sources and a huge increase of sensitivity for point-like sources. IXPE provides an angular resolution of ∼30″ (half-power diameter).…”

Thermal consideration examples for precision diamond turning

“…Last, we describe experience where even the most stringent environmental controls were just sufficient to meet the performance requirements. In this example, we were tasked with cutting a precision profile into 700mm long, ~250mm diameter mandrels used to manufacture cylindrical shims for an X-ray telescope 4 . An example of a mandrel is shown in Fig 8.…”