Conference proceeding
Optimization and simulation of soft gamma-ray focusing optics
Proceedings of SPIE, the international society for optical engineering, Vol.14146, pp.141460R-141460R-14
08/17/2026
DOI: 10.1117/12.3101312
Abstract
The soft gamma ray emission line at 511 keV traces electron-positron annihilation in our Galaxy. Due to the challenges of imaging the annihilation emission, the source of Galactic positrons remains an open question. An imaging telescope with angular resolution on the order of 1 arcmin will be necessary to identify and spatially resolve individual sources of Galactic positrons. Grazing-incidence focusing optics with multilayer (ML) mirror coatings could offer a promising technology pathway for achieving such an instrument. Here we discuss the optical design and ML formulation for a future 511 keV focusing imager. We specify the instrument requirements, describe a preliminary optical design, and outline a road map for future simulation studies. Additionally we describe a ML coating design for soft gamma rays and present the optimization approach for ML deposition in preparation for fabrication to replicated full-shell optics.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Optimization and simulation of soft gamma-ray focusing optics
- Creators
- Dustin K. Swarm - University of IowaKirtan P. Dixit - Marshall Space Flight CenterDanielle N. Gurgew - Universities Space Research AssociationCasey T. DeRoo - University of IowaCarolyn A. Kierans - Goddard Space Flight Center
- Contributors
- Shouleh Nikzad (Editor) - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryKazuhiro Nakazawa (Editor) - Nagoya UniversityMarco Feroci (Editor) - INAF - Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (Italy)
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of SPIE, the international society for optical engineering, Vol.14146, pp.141460R-141460R-14
- DOI
- 10.1117/12.3101312
- ISSN
- 0277-786X
- Publisher
- SPIE
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/17/2026
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9985237505602771
Metrics
1 Record Views