X-ray focusing using microchannel plates

In this paper, we consider the use of lead glass microchannel plates (MCPs) as focusing elements for soft x rays. In particular, we discuss the possible realization of the wide field-of- view `Lobster Eye'' astronomical optics originally proposed by Angel using MCPs with confocal channels of square cross-section. Preliminary laboratory measurements are presented of the point-to-point focusing of both white light and soft x rays by a planar square-pore MCP with 85 (mu) channels. The practical realization of a Lobster Eye x-ray monitor for a possible small satellite mission is considered.

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