cosine will be present at the 20th Meeting of the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society, on 26-30 March 2023 in Hawaii, USA. Dr Laurens Keek will present about Silicon Pore Optics (SPO) applications, showcasing the versatility of this high-energy optics technology.
This meeting is held by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), North America’s major organization of professional astronomers. It will serve as a platform to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community.
cosine is producing Silicon Pore Optics (SPO), a revolutionary type of lightweight X-ray lens, for the European Space Agency for its future large telescope Athena. The SPO mirror modules are building blocks for Athena’s modular telescope, enabling the realization of the largest X-ray optic flown to date, with about 300 m2 of polished mirror area. SPO is also proposed for other X-ray telescopes such as ARCUS and the technology is used for OGRE, an Off-Plane Grating Rocket Experiment. Other applications involve focussing gamma-rays and enabling future interferometric X-ray telescopes.
About cosine and SPO
cosine is a leading worldwide company in the development of space instrumentation, such as Silicon Pore Optics and remote sensing solutions with onboard processing. We combine physics and technology to bring out-of-the-box solutions to our clients. We have been developing and delivering innovative measurement systems for space and industrial applications since 1998.
Silicon Pore Optics is a revolutionary technology invented by cosine in cooperation with ESA. It involves the bonding and stacking of many silicon wafers, creating a novel type of lightweight X-ray lens. cosine’s High Energy Optics business unit is internationally known for the development and application of X-ray optics and systems. It combines and applies knowledge about semiconductor processes, silicon, glass, and mass production to develop and produce lightweight, high-resolution X-ray optics. Those find applications ranging from space-based astrophysical telescopes to medical, semiconductor, and material analysis systems used by industry and academia.
