Development of ATHENA mirror modules

Silicon Pore Optics (SPO), developed at cosine with the European Space Agency (ESA) and several academic and industrial partners, provides lightweight, yet stiff, high-resolution x-ray optics. This technology enables ATHENA to reach an unprecedentedly large effective area in the 0.2- 12 keV band with an angular resolution better than 5". After developing the technology for 50 m and 20 m focal length, this year has witnessed the first 12 m focal length mirror modules being produced. The technology development is also gaining momentum with three different radii under study: mirror modules for the inner radii (R-min = 250 mm), outer radii (R-max = 1500 mm) and middle radii (R-mid = 737 mm) are being developed in parallel.