Visible light apparatus for preliminary tests of x-ray optics

We report a useful visible light testing procedure for a first analysis of soft X-ray grazing incidence optics (0.1-2 keV). Although diffraction is a limit in the application of this method, great advantages are obtained by running the tests in air with direct access to modify the geometrical mounting of the individual mirror shells. We present the experimental apparatus and show the first results of the investigation of light weight optics based on plastic foil material and comparison with results obtained with an X-ray beam.