The space-based multi-band astronomical variable objects monitor (SVOM) is a Chinese–French mission due to be launched in 2023. It is composed of four space borne instruments: ECLAIRs, for detecting x-ray and gamma-ray transients; GRM, a gamma-ray spectrometer; VT, a visible telescope and the Microchannel X-ray Telescope (MXT). The MXT’s main goal is to precisely localize, and spectrally characterize x-ray afterglows of gamma-ray bursts. The MXT is a narrow-field-optimised lobster eye x-ray focusing telescope comprising an array of 25 square micro pore optics (MPOs), with a detector-limited field of view of ∼1 square degree, working in the energy band 0.2-10 keV. The SVOM flight model (FM) MXT optic (MOP) was designed, built and initially tested at the University of Leicester and a full calibration of the MOP was completed at the PANTER facility (MPE). It was then integrated in to the full proto flight model (PFM) MXT instrument before it returned to PANTER for the PFM MXT’s full calibration. We present the optic performance as part of the full FM MXT instrument calibration. The response of the telescope was studied at 11 energies from C-K (0.28 keV) to Ge-K (9.89 keV), including measurements of the effective area and the PSF size and shape. The focal length of the instrument was determined and details of the modelling and analysis used to predict the performance are presented. The measurements demonstrate that the actual effective area and PSF are in good agreement with the modelling.
The Transient High Energy Sources and Early Universe Surveyor is an ESA M5 candidate mission currently in Phase A, with Launch in ∼2032. The aim of the mission is to complete a Gamma Ray Burst survey and monitor transient X-ray events. The University of Leicester is the PI institute for the Soft X-ray Instrument (SXI), and is responsible for both the optic and detector development. The SXI consists of two wide field, lobster eye X-ray modules. Each module consists of 64 Micro Pore Optics (MPO) in an 8 by 8 array and 8 CMOS detectors in each focal plane. The geometry of the MPOs comprises a square packed array of microscopic pores with a square cross-section, arranged over a spherical surface with a radius of curvature twice the focal length of the optic. Working in the photon energy range 0.3-5 keV, the optimum L/d ratio (length of pore L and pore width d) is upwards of 50 and is constant across the whole optic aperture for the SXI. The performance goal for the SXI modules is an angular resolution of 4.5 arcmin, localisation accuracy of ∼1 arcmin and employing an L/d of 60. During the Phase A study, we are investigating methods to improve the current performance and consistency of the MPOs, in cooperation with the manufacturer Photonis France SAS. We present the optics design of the THESEUS SXI modules and the programme of work designed to improve the MPOs performance and the results from the study.
The Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) is a French-Chinese space mission to be launched in 2021 with the goal of studying gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful stellar explosions in the Universe. The Microchannel X-ray Telescope (MXT) on-board SVOM, is an X-ray focusing telescope with a detector-limited field of view of ∼1 square° , working in the 0.2-10 keV energy band. The MXT is a narrow-field-optimised lobster eye telescope, designed to promptly detect and accurately locate gamma-ray bursts afterglows. The breadboard MXT optic comprises of an array of square pore micro pore optics (MPOs) which are slumped to a spherical radius of 2 m giving a focal length of 1 m and an intrinsic field of view of ∼6° . We present details of the baseline design and results from the ongoing X-ray tests of the breadboard and structural thermal model MPOs performed at the University of Leicester and at Panter. In addition, we present details of modelling and analysis which reveals the factors that limit the angular resolution, characteristics of the point spread function and the efficiency and collecting area of the currently available MPOs.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.