0000000000420648

AUTHOR

Russell H. Ingram

showing 3 related works from this author

Light weight, thin plastic foil, X-ray telescopes

2002

We present results from a program to develop an X-ray telescope made from thin plastic shells. Our initial results have been obtained from multi-shell cylindrical lenses that are used in a point-to-point configuration to image the small focal spot of a an X-ray tube on a microchannel plate detector. We describe the steps that led up to the present design and present data from the tests that have been used to identify the properties of the plastic material that make it a suitable X-ray reflector. We discuss two applications of our technology to X-ray missions that are designed to address some of the scientific priorities set forth in NASA's long term plans for high energy astrophysics. One m…

PhysicsX-ray astronomyHigh-energy astronomybusiness.industryAstrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical PhenomenaAstrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for AstrophysicsX-ray opticsReflector (antenna)X-ray telescopeCondensed Matter Physicslaw.inventionTelescopeOpticslawMicrochannel plate detectorTube (container)Electrical and Electronic Engineeringbusiness
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Thin-shell plastic lenses for space and laboratory applications

2004

We have identified an inexpensive, readily available, mechanically stable, extremely smooth, elastic, and mechanically uniform plastic suitable for thin film X-ray optics. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is easily deformed without losing its elastic properties or surface smoothness. Most important, PET can be coated with mono- or multilayers that reflect X-rays at grazing incidence. We have used these properties to produce X-ray optics made either as a concentric nest of cylinders or as a spiral. We have produced accurately formed shells in precisely machined vacuum mandresl or used a pin and wheel structure to form a continuously wound spiral. The wide range of medical, industrial and sci…

Materials scienceScanning electron microscopebusiness.industryShell (structure)X-ray opticsX-ray telescopelaw.inventionTelescopechemistry.chemical_compoundOpticsOptical coatingchemistrylawPolyethylene terephthalateX-ray optics X-ray telescopes X-ray lenses X-ray imaging X-ray collimation medical diagnostics microanalysisThin filmbusinessSPIE Proceedings
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Thin plastic shell x-ray optics: an update

2003

We present new results from a program to develop large area X-ray telescopes that are made from thin plastic shells. We use multi-shell cylindrical lenses in a point-to-point configuration to form full aperture images of the small focal spot in a an X-ray tube on a microchannel plate detector. The image data are analyzed to yield radial profiles and encircled energy curves. The derived parameters can be extrapolated to the case of a telescope that is a conical approximation to Wolter 1 optics. The plastic shells can be coated with suitable mono- or multilayers that allow for a wideband coverage of X-ray energies. Our current program is focused on the development of a large area, hard X-ray …

Physicsbusiness.industryApertureAstrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical PhenomenaPlastic shell X-ray opticAstrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for AstrophysicsShell (structure)X-ray opticsX-ray telescopeConical surfaceCondensed Matter PhysicsEncircled energylaw.inventionTelescopePoint-to-point X-ray imagingOpticsApproximate X-ray opticlawMicrochannel plate detectorElectrical and Electronic EngineeringX-ray opticbusiness
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