Microchannel-plate-based x-ray optics

X-ray optics based on micro-channel plates (MCPs) offer some distinctive advantages over conventional technologies used to produce imagin optics for astrophysics applications. Such micro-pore optics (MPOs) are far lighter and allow a larger stacking density than optics based on metallic foils or plates. Until recent, x-ray optics based on MCPs were not feasible or useful because of the limited quality of the MCPs. We have produced thick square pore MPOs of improved quality and have developed methods to stack the channels in a radial pattern, as required for imagin optics based on Wolter type I or II designs. The individual plates were tested in synchrotron radiation facilities and conventional beam lines to determine their geometric and surface scattering properties.