Vacuum ultraviolet performance of an off-axis parabolic mirror: evaluation, metrology, and analysis

Abstract

The normal incidence, off-axis parabolic, SERTS-D telescope mirror is an alternative technology to the glancing incidence Wolter Type II SERTS-A and -C rocket telescopes flown previously. The image quality and scattered light performance of this mirror uncoated have been measured at 124 nm in the GSFC Diffraction Grating Evaluation Facility (DGEF)1 using image dissection techniques. The results are compared with those from an analytical model of the experiment3 based on interferometry and optical surface profilometry.