What's Happening?
NASA's Physics of the Cosmos program is hosting a seminar on December 19, 2025, focusing on advancements in Critical-Angle Transmission (CAT) grating technology for high resolving power soft x-ray spectroscopy. The seminar, led by Ralf Heilmann from MIT,
will discuss the strategic importance of this technology as confirmed by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. CAT gratings, which are lightweight and offer high resolving power, are being developed for use in future missions like the Lynx mission concept. The seminar will cover the progress in CAT grating fabrication, including the use of commercial semiconductor tools and machine learning to enhance manufacturing and technology readiness.
Why It's Important?
The development of high resolving power soft x-ray spectroscopy is crucial for advancing our understanding of cosmic phenomena, such as galaxy halos, supermassive black holes, and coronal mass ejections. The CAT grating technology offers significant advantages in terms of mass, alignment, and efficiency, making it a promising tool for future space missions. This seminar represents a step forward in preparing this technology for deployment, potentially transforming how scientists study the universe. The advancements discussed could lead to more detailed and accurate observations, enhancing our knowledge of the cosmos.
What's Next?
The seminar will provide insights into the current state of CAT grating technology and its path toward operational readiness. Future steps include continued development and testing, with a focus on improving resolving power and diffraction efficiency. The technology is also part of the REDSoX soft x-ray polarimetry sounding rocket instrument, scheduled for a 2028 launch. The outcomes of this seminar could influence the direction of future research and development efforts in x-ray spectroscopy.
