Work

Lobster Eye (LE) X-Ray Optics Demonstrator for CubeSats Applications

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We present a Lobster Eye (LE) X-ray optics module utilizing Multi-Foil Optics (MFO) technology. Designed for CubeSat-class missions, the system is based on the Schmidt arrangement and consists of two orthogonally oriented submodules composed of smooth, gold-coated glass foils. This configuration enables wide-field X-ray imaging with a short focal length of 400 mm and a characteristic cross-shaped focal spot. Key optical parameters, including focal length, full width at half maximum (FWHM), angular resolution, field of view (FOV), and effective area, have been experimentally verified in a vacuum setup using various X-ray sources and detectors. The Lobster Eye (LE) X-ray optics is ready for integration into a CubeSat demonstrator.

Source: Photonics

DOI: 10.3390/photonics12111084

Authors: Veronika Marsikova, Adolf Inneman, Peter Oberta, Ladislav Pina, Rene Hudec

Institutions: Rigaku Innovative Technologies Europe (Czechia), Czech Academy of Sciences, FZU - Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Technical University in Prague

Language: English

Topic: Astronomy and Astrophysical Research

Subfield: Instrumentation

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896

Funder: European Space Agency