Optical thermal filters for eXTP: Manufacturing and characterization

Abstract

In order to ensure the effective detection of X-ray astronomical detectors by blocking ultraviolet, visible and infrared light, adding optical thermal filter in front of the load is an effective method. According to the scientific requirements of eXTP, optical thermal filters with aluminized polyimide (PI) film structure had been designed and tested in this paper, the results of mechanical tests including burst pressure, vibration and acoustic tests, also the transparent properties of optics in UV, Vis and IR lights are presented. The mechanical test results show that the filters for LAD and SFA can't pass the acoustic tests, causing the thickness of PI should be increased or a nickel mesh structure should be added. Furthermore, the transmission test results indicate that a single-sided Al deposited structure is more suitable than a double-sided one.