Micro-Pore Optics: From Planetary X-Rays To Industrial Market

For over fifteen years, micro-Channel plate (MCP) optics, later termed "Micro Pore Optics" (MPOs) - have been under development to replace the heavy Wolter Type 1 replicated or foil mirrors currently used in X-ray astronomy. Noting other possible applications, including X-ray Lithography and imaging X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy - and after considerable, sustained investment from the European Space Agency Technology Research Programme (TRP), a reliable manufacturing process has now been established, able to produce high quality, low mass X-ray and UV optics in a variety of formats. Optimisation of the glass preparation and drawing technology, in line process controls and metrology as well as improvements in the fibre stacking processes, core glass etching and plate slumping have all been developed. Channel coating methods have also been developed to enhance the high energy response. All these improvements enable Photonis to offer MPOs with square pores from 10 x 10 mu m up to 100 x 100 mu m, with channel aspect ratios of up to 500:1 in both square and radially packed geometries in various shapes and with focal lengths in the range 10 cm to several metres. Space science projects such as LOBSTER (an X-ray all-sky monitor), the Wide Field Auroral Imager for Kuafu B and the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) for BepiColombo are likely to benefit from this unique technology. Other applications are, however, under consideration, such as X-ray pulsar-based navigation systems for autonomous terrestrial and space navigation. The potential industrial-commercial market interest in developing these compact X-ray lenses for ground-based applications is the subject of our paper.