Glass-made adjustable integration mold for x-ray optics: experimental feasibility campaign

Cold Slumping Glass Optics is a cost-effective technique to realize segmented X-ray optics. It is based on the replica approach: very thin flat glass foils are shaped to theoretical form by means of integration molds and fixed into stacks by means of ribs. As the theoretical shape of each of the layer depends on the radius of curvature inside the assembly, in principle different integration molds are needed to realize a stack. A worthwhile solution would be the usage of a single adjustable mold with and ‘optical surface’ to be shaped according to the position of the plate in the stack. The selection of the optical surface material and the bending strategy are the most relevant points. Glass would give major benefits in terms of thermal coupling with the glass foils, scratch resistance during operations and costs. On the other hand, given the reduced bending capability of the material coupled with its intrinsic fragility, experimental tests are necessary to assess the feasibility of the solution. In this paper we present the design and the implementation study as realized by the PoliMI-DAER. An experimental test campaign has been carried out beside the theoretical studies, to validate numerical models and obtain feedbacks from an early implementation. The test campaign is expounded along with the analysis of the results. A preliminary comparison with the numerical simulations is given.