MEMS X-ray Optics
The cosmic X-ray telescope、Since the refractive index of the material to X-rays slightly smaller than 1、1Grazing incidence optics by using total reflection incident in less than one.It has been used in general。The current process(Grinding、Replica method、Foil method, or the like)In、Weight increases、It will also be enormous launch cost。there、We are making full use of state-of-the-art technology、We are developing a unique lightweight and high-performance X-ray telescope.。
Micromachine technology、The so-called MEMS(Micro Electro Mechanicl Systems: MMS and pronunciation)We applied the technology to the X-ray mirror。And MEMS is、Micron, such as semiconductor, including silicon(11 / 1000 mm)Is the technology to be processed in size。We succeeded in the world's first convergent imaging using this method using a prototype optical system.。We are currently developing applications for various future X-ray observation satellites and solar system exploration.。
Si foil optics (Silicon Foil Optics)
In addition to being lightweight, next-generation X-ray reflectors are required、Extremely high angular resolution。The light weight of the Al foil system installed on conventional Japanese X-ray astronomical satellites remains the same.、To improve angular resolution by about one order of magnitude、We are developing a unique method to plastically deform highly rigid Si substrates at high temperatures.。
Bragg reflection type X-ray polarimeter
In cosmic X-ray observation、image、spectrum、Polarization is the fourth type of information that follows time fluctuations.。We utilize our Si substrate processing technology to、We are developing a Bragg reflection type polarimeter.。Although this method has high detection sensitivity for polarized light, it can basically only be used for monochromatic light.、By bending the substrate, we created a multi-band device that can focus light.、We have actually succeeded in detecting polarized light and forming images.。
Superconducting transition edge(TES)type x-ray microcalorimeter
To improve the imaging performance and spectroscopic performance of the X-ray microcalorimeter installed in XRISM and ASTRO-H、We are looking at the rapid resistance change of a superconductor.、In other words, we have developed a next-generation method that uses the transition edge as a thermometer.。Our laboratory has a superconducting thin film sputtering device.、Use it to make your own elements、Energy resolution of ~4 eV has been achieved with a single element.。
Superconducting helium exhaust system device
XRISM and ASTRO-H satellites use liquid helium as a coolant to cool elements to extremely low temperatures.。However, since liquid helium is used in a superfluid state,、Loss due to film follow that escapes along the side wall of the pipe can no longer be ignored.。This is directly related to the lifespan of liquid helium in orbit.。there、We developed this exhaust system together with Sumitomo Heavy Industries and others.。The Si device used in the exhaust system is、We made it ourselves in our laboratory using MEMS technology.、By having sharp edges at the atomic level、It suppresses the outflow of liquid helium using surface tension.。
