Eberhard Adolf Spiller

Multilayer x-ray mirrors for the objective crystal spectrometer on the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma satellite

We carried out experiments to determine the optimum parameters for the production of multilayer x-ray mirrors for the lambda equals 4.4 - 7.1 nm range using electron beam evaporation and ion-polishing. We report on the deposition of Co/C and Ni/C coatings, of which we polished the metal layers with Kr+- and Ar+- ions of 300, 500, and 1000 eV. We examined the effect of different polishing parameters on the smoothening of the Co- and Ni-layers. The in-situ reflectivity of lambda equals 3.16 nm during deposition and the ex-situ grazing incidence reflectivity of Cu-K(alpha ) radiation (lambda equals 0.154 nm) were used to analyze the coatings. We found optimum performance of the mirrors when applying polishing for 40 s with 500 eV Kr+-ions at an angle of 20 degrees and an ion beam current of 20 mA. Using these parameters, we produced Co/C multilayer coatings on forty flat super-polished 6 multiplied by 6 cm2 Si (111) crystals for the Objective Crystal Spectrometer on the Russian Spectrum Rontgen Gamma satellite. The coatings on the flight crystals have a period Lambda of 3.95 plus or minus 0.02 nm and a reflectivity of more than 8% averaged over s- and p-polarization over the entire wavelength range of interest. We present a detailed analysis of the coatings on the crystals.

Normal incidence optics for solar coronal imaging

We have produced two new normal incidence soft x-ray telescope mirrors coated for lambda equals 63.5 angstrom wavelength: the first with a focal length f equals 1.5 m and a diameter of 25 cm for the Space Weather and Terrestrial Hazards (SWATH) satellite and the second (f equals 2 m, diameter 27.5 cm) for launch by sounding rocket (NIXT). We describe figuring and polishing of the mirror surfaces and deposition and testing of the multilayer coatings. Optimization of the mirror fabrication included grazing incidence x-ray reflectivity for quality control during polishing. In addition, the substrate and each metal layer of the Co-C multilayer coating were polished by an ion beam with in-situ roughness estimation. We explored the possibilities and limitations of telescopes for shorter wavelengths by coating several small mirrors covering the lambda equals 45 to 60 angstrom region at normal incidence and report on their performance.

Hard and soft x-ray study of the correlation between substrate quality and multilayer performance for Co/C coating produced by electron beam evaporation using ion polishing

Polished silicon crystals, lacquered aluminum foil, and float glass substrates with respect to surface roughness. Co/C multilayers were then deposited by electron-beam evaporation with in situ monitoring x-ray signal and ion polishing (Kr+) for the metal layer. The specular as well as the transverse scan have demonstrated different qualities, influenced by the different substrates. The investigations were performed with both hard x-ray (8.05 keV) as well as soft x-ray (0.25 keV). The reflectivity varies up to factor 3 between the best and the worst of these substrates. The results of these investigations and a comparison between the coating performances are discussed.