X-ray Optics for Astrophysics: A Historical Review

Grazing-incidence X-ray optics have revolutionized X-ray astrophysics. The ability to concentrate flux to a tiny detection region provides a dramatic reduction in background and a consequent very large improvement in sensitivity. The X-ray optics also permit use of small-format, high-performance focal-plane detectors and, of course, especially for high-angular-resolution optics, provide a wealth of imaging data from extended sources. This review follows the use of X-ray optics from the first rocket-borne instruments in the 1960s through to the observatories flying today and being developed for future use. It also includes a brief overview of the challenges of fabricating X-ray optics and the various technologies that have been used to date.