| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S71507/01 |
| Title: |
Basic Technology: Practical X-ray Interferometry |
| Principal Investigator: |
Willingale, Professor R |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leicester |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
10 February 2004 |
Ends: |
09 April 2005 |
Value (£): |
93,649
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Design & Testing Technology |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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X-ray interferometry has the potential to provide VERY high angular resolution imaging in astronomy and ground based applications but a practical Xray interferometer has not yet been designed or built. We have a design concept which holds promise. The geometry fits within a workable sized envelope and can provide sufficient collecting area for making useful observations. We propose the construction of an Optical Demonstration Model as an initial proof of concept. This ODM will work in visible light but will give us the necessary experience to take the design forward to a working X-ray version. The final design demands novel technological development of two items, an X-ray optic, which we call a slatted mirror, and a modified form of X-ray detector with moderate energy resolution but which can work with high efficiency at low grazing angles of incidence. In addition the construction of the working X-ray device will require the development of high precision optical engineering, initially for ground based laboratory operation and subsequently for deployment in space. The ultimate goals of X-ray interferometry are amazing - imaging the accretion disk in a galactic binary or the event horizon of a black hole - but the technological hurdles that must be surmounted to reach these heights are daunting. We believe this can and will be done and we propose to take the first few steps towards achieving this aim.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.le.ac.uk |