Performance Modeling Of Grazing-Incidence Optics With Structural Deformations And Fabrication Errors

In-house optical performance modeling is being done at Marshall Space FLight Center (MSFC) in support of the development, fabrication, and testing of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility-Imaging (AXAF-I). Specialized software for modeling grazing-incidence x-ray telescopes is being developed by MSFC with assistance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Interfaces between the optical model and the mirror surface metrology and the predictions of structural/thermal deformation models have been developed. The mirror surface measurements were provided by the mirror manufacturer. A structural model of the AXAF-I High Resolution mirror Assembly has been developed at MSFC. The AXAF-I system, optical modeling software, and the image effects of specific mirror figure errors are discussed. In particular, the optimization of the alignment of the as- built mirrors and prediction of the x-ray image effects of the x-ray ground test configuration are described.