Impact of annealing on performance of X-ray mirror coatings for Athena

P. L. Henriksen*, D. D.M. Ferreira, S. Massahi, S. Svendsen, N. Gellert, F. E. Christensen, A. S. Jegers, B. Landgraf, A. Thete, M. Collon, E. Handick, L. Cibik, M. Krumrey, C. Gollwitzer, I. Ferreira, B. Shortt, M. Bavdaz

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

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    Abstract

    As part of the manufacturing process of mirror modules for the Athena X-ray telescope, Silicon Pore Optics plates are assembled into mirror module stacks. The plates that form each stack are held together by direct bonding, relying on van der Waals forces and covalent bonds for adhesion. One way to increase the strength of the covalent bonds is through annealing of the mirror stacks. It is of critical importance to the mission to ensure compatibility between the reflective coating and any post-coating processing of the plates. We present our findings of the impact of annealing on the X-ray re ectance of coated mirrors relevant for the Athena mission. These are Ir single layers, as well as Ir/B4C, Ir/SiC, and Ir/C bilayers. We investigate the effect on the performance of the coatings after annealing at atmospheric pressure and at a low vacuum using X-ray reflectometry. B4C is found to suffer degradation from annealing under atmospheric conditions but not when annealed in vacuum. All other materials investigated are robust to atmospheric annealing.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE : Optics for EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Astronomy X
    EditorsStephen L. O'Dell, Jessica A. Gaskin, Giovanni Pareschi
    Number of pages10
    PublisherSPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering
    Publication date2021
    Article number118220D
    ISBN (Electronic)9781510644823
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021
    EventSPIE Optical Engineering + Applications 2021 - San Diego, United States
    Duration: 1 Aug 20215 Aug 2021

    Conference

    ConferenceSPIE Optical Engineering + Applications 2021
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Diego
    Period01/08/202105/08/2021
    SeriesProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
    Volume11822
    ISSN0277-786X

    Keywords

    • Athena
    • X-ray mirrors
    • Reective coatings
    • Annealing
    • X-ray reectometry

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