Silicon Pore Optics (SPO), developed by cosine and the European Space Agency, is a lightweight high-energy optics technology that builds upon semiconductor industry techniques. SPO delivers a large collecting area and high optical performance, while being inherently suitable for mass production. Its adaptability makes it ideal for X-ray astronomy, as well as other innovative space-borne and ground-based applications, as shown in three ongoing studies exploring the potential of SPO technology.
1. X-ray collimator
For the Nagoya University in Japan, cosine is collaborating on the development of a collimator made of silicon for an X-ray telescope. Silicon is a robust material and its structure allows for the creation of pores with a higher aspect ratio than possible to date, offering flexibility that conventional techniques cannot achieve.
Dr Nicolas Barrière, Senior Scientist-Engineer at cosine, commented: “The added value of silicon is that it is very lightweight and allows us to create high aspect ratios with very straight walls, which are highly suitable for most X-ray space telescopes. We are also investigating ways to use our equipment to coat the collimator to improve efficiency at higher energies.”
2. Bragg lens to focus the muonic signal for exotic atoms research
In the domain of hard X-ray optics for fundamental physics experiments, the international collaboration QUARTET is measuring the properties of muonic atoms for fundamental research. Precise measurements of the energy of emitted X-rays using cryogenic calorimeters are of particular interest in this field. cosine has been tasked with assessing a design for specialized X-ray optics that can increase the photon count rate from these emissions while keeping muon-induced background events at a low level.
“Among all the options we investigated, the concept of a Bragg lens using bent silicon strips based on cosine’s SPO technology arranged in a ring is the most promising”, explained Dr Barrière.
3. Gamma-ray optics to observe the 511 keV electron-positron annihilation line
Washington University is developing a gamma-ray detector (511CAM), and cosine’s SPO based Laue lens technology could help focus the signal from the center of the galaxy towards the detector, increasing sensitivity.
Dr Barrière explained: “For several decades, signals of positron annihilation in the direction of the galactic center have been detected. However, the origins of these positrons remain a mystery. More sensitive instruments are required to uncover their source. cosine is collaborating with Washington University in Saint Louis to explore solutions for creating a gamma-ray lens that can focus this signal into a focal plane instrument—a gamma-ray camera. One of the best options is a Laue lens based on SPO technology, SiLC.”
Read more about Silicon Pore Optics on our website.
About cosine and the High-Energy Optics business unit
cosine is a leading worldwide company in the development of space instrumentation, such as Silicon Pore Optics for astronomy and remote sensing solutions with onboard analytics for Earth Observation and planetary science. cosine combines physics and technology to bring out-of-the-box solutions to our clients. cosine has been developing and delivering innovative measurement systems for space and industrial applications since 1998. Our company operates 1,000 m2 of cleanrooms and high-tech assembly facilities to build and test the systems we produce for customers at our headquarters in Sassenheim, The Netherlands.
cosine’s High-Energy Optics business unit is a world leader in the development and delivery of X-ray and gamma-ray optics and systems, including X-ray diffraction and imaging spectroscopy. We combine and apply knowledge about semiconductor processes, silicon, glass micro-pore optics technology, and mass production to develop and produce lightweight, high-resolution high-energy optics. With our expertise in X-ray and gamma-ray technologies, we can address your imaging, focusing, modeling, and analysis challenges.
