cosine, a leading worldwide company in the development of space instrumentation, and Siltronic AG announced a unique collaboration. The target of this partnership is to supply critical technology for ESA’s (European Space Agency) next-generation observatory for high-energy astrophysics, the NewAthena (New Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics) space telescope.
This collaboration involves high-quality 300 mm silicon wafers from Siltronic AG, which cosine engineers into state-of-the-art X-ray optics called “Silicon Pore Optics” (SPO). The SPO technology is a key element of NewAthena’s revolutionary mirror system and forms the key component of its X-ray optics.
Dr. Rüdiger Schmolke, Chief Technology Officer of Siltronic AG, comments: “We are very pleased to be able to make a significant contribution to the realization of NewAthena’s innovative X-ray optics with our technology.”
Max Collon, Managing Director of cosine innovations, explains: “The precision and purity of Siltronic’s wafers enable cosine to produce lightweight, high-resolution optics that meet the mission’s demanding performance requirements for space.”
The NewAthena will be the largest X-ray telescope ever built. It was developed under ESA’s Cosmic Vision program and is designed to explore the hot and energetic universe, from black holes to galaxy clusters. It will rely on cosine’s innovative SPO technology, which uses wafer materials of the highest uniformity and defect-free quality.
More information about NewAthena can be found on the ESA website: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/NewAthena_factsheet
Original – Siltronic