Programmatics of large scale production of silicon pore optics for future X-ray telescopes

Silicon pore optics have been proposed earlier as modular optical X-ray units in large Wolter-I telescopes [ 1] that would match effective area and resolution requirements imposed by missions such as XEUS [2] [3]. Since then the optics have been developed further and the feasibility of the production of high-performance pore optics has been demonstrated [4]. Optimisation of the production and the assembly process allowed the generation of optics with larger areas with improved imaging performance [4]; Silicon pore optics can now be manufactured with properties required for future Xray telescopes. A suitable design that allows the implementation of pore optics into X-ray Optical Units in Wolter I configuration was derived and recently built including an appropriate telescope mounting structure [5] with interfaces for the individual components. Based on the present experience the requirements for industrial mirror production, optics assembly, related metrology and performance verification are reviewed from a viewpoint of its implementation into a large scale production. Such production may lead to the provision of the large number of X-ray optical units that are required within reasonably short time scales and a feasible cost envelop. The present outcome of this investigation and the prospects to future production and test facilities will be presented.