Low noise, large angular range slope sensor for X-ray mirror metrology

The advent of fully coherent free electron lasers and diffraction-limited storage rings has ushered in a new era of X-ray science, demanding unprecedented precision in X-ray optics. These advanced light sources necessitate near-perfect mirrors and gratings to maintain the brightness and coherence of the X-ray beams, pushing the boundaries of X-ray optics fabrication and metrology. In this SBIR, Mesa Photonics will develop an advanced autocollimator that will not only surpass the current state-of-the-art in precision but also deliver significantly faster measurement speeds, thereby empowering the next generation of X-ray beamlines and experiments. The system will also be able to measure line spacing variations of X-ray gratings in a Littrow configuration. In Phase I, we will determine the feasibility developing a highly sensitive slope sensor for X-ray optic profilometry based on an autocollimator. This autocollimator will be more sensitive than any system currently available and will have a higher measurement speed than other systems. The successful development of an advanced autocollimator could lead to its commercialization, making it available to a wider range of users in both research and industry. This could further accelerate the adoption of high-precision metrology techniques and contribute to technological advancements in various sectors.