Replicated x-ray micromirrors

Innovative x-ray grazing incidence micromirrors have been studied theoretically and experimentally. Micromirrors are of conical, ellipsoidal or paraboloidal shape with superior surface quality. Reflecting surfaces are nickel or gold coated. These mirrors with only one reflection find most of their applications in the laboratory either as collimating or focusing elements. Calculated micromirror parameters, experimental beam profiles and input/output spectra are presented. The intensity at the mirror focus is comparable with intensities obtained with conventional arrangements with x-ray tubes dissipating more than 100 times the power of the microfocus tube. Current and potential areas of applications are discussed.