Ultrafast laser welding of X-ray mirror segment stacks

Brody D. McElwain, Ian J. Arnold, Adel Al-Ghazwi, Kevin Laverty, Chang Jin Oh, Paola Luna, Brandon D. Chalifoux

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Designing and building X-ray telescopes that observe the high-energy universe with large-effective area and sub-arcsecond angular resolution has proven to be a great optomechanical challenge, as thin, tightly nested grazing-incidence mirrors are easily deformed during assembly. We are developing a bonding and alignment process in which we fabricate spacers, bond them between thin mirrors, and re-align these mirrors after assembly, using a Hartmann test for alignment metrology. We implemented a non-contact slumping method to produce smooth Corning Eagle XG conical mirrors. Using an ultrafast laser, we welded fused silica spacers to flat fused silica mirrors to create mirror segment stacks. We performed a parameter study on ultrafast laser welding Eagle XG to fused silica, which we expect to enable building an X-ray mirror segment stack with our slumped Eagle XG mirrors and fused silica spacers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024
Subtitle of host publicationUltraviolet to Gamma Ray
EditorsJan-Willem A. den Herder, Shouleh Nikzad, Kazuhiro Nakazawa
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510675094
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
EventSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray - Yokohama, Japan
Duration: Jun 16 2024Jun 21 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume13093
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceSpace Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityYokohama
Period6/16/246/21/24

Keywords

  • X-ray astronomical optics
  • laser welding
  • optical assembly
  • ultrafast laser

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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