Diffraction Gratings for X-ray Spectroscopy

Abstract

X-ray diffraction gratings play an essential role in high-resolution spectroscopy of astrophysical phenomena. We present some scientific highlights from the X-ray grating spectrometers (XGS) on board of the Chandra and XMM/Newton missions, XGS optical design, and the basic physics of grating diffraction geometry and efficiency. We review design, fabrication, and performance of the currently orbiting transmission and reflection grating elements, followed by descriptions of the state-of-the art of more advanced grating technologies that promise orders-of-magnitude improvements in XGS performance, especially in combination with advanced X-ray telescope mirrors. A few key science questions that require new grating technology are posed, and powerful future mission concepts and recent and approved missions are presented.