Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF
Phase Fresnel Lens Nanofabrication
Project Introduction
Using NASA APRA and internal GSFC funding, PFLs have been fabricated using MEMS techniques at both UMCP and GSFC and have been characterized to have nearly diffraction-limited imaging, ~14 milli-arcseconds in the best case. Initial work was also completed by using a PFL and refractive component to produce an acromat that significantly extended the X-ray bandwidth of the imaging. However, MEMS fabrication is costly and time consuming, which makes prototyping new designs difficult. What is needed is a cost-effective and rapid fabrication technique to fabricate new PFL-based designs with improved performance and then characterize their performance at the GSFC 600-m Interferometry Testbed. The hot embossing technique (a micro-scale "off-set printing" approach) recently developed by Northeaster University offers this possibility. DELIVERABLE IN FY16: At least one Phase Fresnel Lens of design for an appropriate X-ray energy and focal length that can be characterized in the GSFC 600-m Interferometry Testbed.
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Anticipated Benefits
Heliophysics is also interested in using PFLs to perform high-angular resolution X-ray measurements of solar phenomena. PFLs have very long, 100 m -> >> km focal lengths (depending on X-ray energy and PFL diameter). Work is moving forward on developing formation-flying satellites (with N. Shah, Code 591) and we are part of a recently selected EPSCoR proposal (NMSU, PI institution) to develop a CubeSat mission to demonstrate formation flying and PFL imaging. Initial deliverable will be PFL(s) that will be characterized in the 600-m Interferometry Testbed. Based on these results, the NEU fabrication technique could be used to fabricate PFLs for the EPSCoR CubeSat mission.
The development of highly efficient and lightweight X-ray optics that image near the diffraction limit and over a wide energy range would be a transformational technical development.
Evaluating the NEU nanofabrication technique will allow NASA/GSFC to evaluate its potential in material engineering.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, MD |
| Northeastern University | Supporting Organization | Academic | Boston, MA |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Massachusetts
-
Maryland
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
Responsible Program:
- Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF
Project Management
Program Director:
Principal Investigator:
Co-Investigators:
Project Duration
Start: Oct 2015
End: Sep 2016
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 1 |
| Current: | 1 |
| Estimated End: | 2 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 8 Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems
- TA 8.2 Observatories
- TA 8.2.1 Mirror Systems
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 12 Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems and Manufacturing
- TA 12.4 Manufacturing
- TA 12.4.3 Electronics and Optics Manufacturing Process
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