@article{ProbstStollenwerkEmmerichetal.2017, author = {Probst, Anne-Catherine and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Emmerich, Florian and B{\"u}ttner, Andre and Zeising, Sebastian and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Riethm{\"u}ller, Franziska and Stehlikova, Veronika and Mingwu, Wen and Proserpio, Laura and Damm, Christine and Rellinghaus, Bernd and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten}, title = {Influence of sputtering pressure on the nanostructure and the X-ray reflectivity of iridium coatings}, series = {Surface and Coatings Technology}, volume = {2017}, journal = {Surface and Coatings Technology}, number = {343}, issn = {0257-8972}, pages = {101 -- 107}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Reflective mirror coatings made of iridium are used in X-ray telescopes of the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) launched in 1999 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to investigate astronomical sources at photon energies below 10. keV. These coatings were produced in a DC magnetron sputtering process and have so far proven their suitability for space-based applications. We are considering in the present paper the processing of thin iridium films for lightweight telescopes using the radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique with an oblique angle deposition. The coating development presented here is focused on the influence of total sputtering pressure on film properties as well as on its impact on the mirror's performance. Characterisation methods such as X-ray diffractometry, X-ray reflectometry, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been used. Correlations between morphology, density, surface micro-roughness, crystal structure of the iridium layer and the expected reflectivity of the X-ray mirror are described and discussed.}, subject = {Iridium}, language = {en} } @article{ProbstBegouDoehringetal.2018, author = {Probst, Anne-Catherine and Begou, Thomas and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Zeising, Sebastian and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Emmerich, Florian and Lumeau, Julien}, title = {Coating stress analysis and compensation for iridium-based x-ray mirrors}, series = {Applied Optics}, volume = {2018}, journal = {Applied Optics}, number = {57 (29)}, editor = {Publishing OSA,}, pages = {8775 -- 8779}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Iridium-based coatings for mirrors of x-ray telescopes are studied. In particular, stress-induced deformation is characterized and shown to be compressive and equal to -1786  MPa. Two methods for stress compensation are then studied. One relies on the deposition of silica on the back surface of the substrate and a second one relies on the deposition of a chromium sublayer. Advantages and drawbacks of each of these techniques are presented.}, subject = {R{\"o}ntgenteleskop}, language = {en} } @misc{DoehringRoedlingKimmeletal.2021, author = {D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and R{\"o}dling, Claudius and Kimmel, Kevin and Zeising, Sebastian and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Verma, Shruti and Rees, Paul}, title = {Optical characterization of reflective coatings for astronomical telescope mirrors}, series = {DGaO Jahrestagung}, volume = {2021}, journal = {DGaO Jahrestagung}, organization = {TH Aschaffenburg}, pages = {1 -- 1}, year = {2021}, abstract = {With ground based optical telescopes astronomers observe celestial objects over a wide spectral range. As usually three or even more reflections at telescope mirrors are involved, good reflection properties of the mirror coatings are important. The aluminum evaporation technique has been - and is still - the standard solution for the reflective coatings of large astronomical mirrors. Such coatings have excellent reflectivity in the ultraviolet and in the visible, but perform poorly in the infrared. Silver is the metal having highest reflectivity for wavelengths longward of 400 nm, but isn´t the best choice for reflectivity in the ultraviolet and for blue light. To avoid degradation by oxidation, durable silver coatings need to be protected by transmitting overcoating layers. In the presented study, different metallic coatings - including unusual ones like sputtered iridium - are characterized to identify a coating that is most suitable for the spectral range from ultraviolet to infrared. Experimental results are compared to simulations based on the complex refractive indices of these materials. Thereby dependence of incidence angle and polarization is also considered.}, subject = {Spiegelteleskop}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FreudenmannStollenwerkDoehringetal.2021, author = {Freudenmann, Dominic and Stollenwerk, Manfred and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Negri, Michele and Lauck, Felix}, title = {Combustion efficiency of iridium coated pellets for environmentally friendly space propulsion}, series = {14th Pico- and Nanosatellite Workshop, W{\"u}rzburg, Germany}, booktitle = {14th Pico- and Nanosatellite Workshop, W{\"u}rzburg, Germany}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Most of the satellite engines still uses critical fuels such as hydrazine, which is chemically aggressive, toxic and carcinogenic. New developments for satellite engines try to avoid such critical propellants. One promising approach is the usage of rocket-grade hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] in mono- and bipropellant driven rocket engines. Catalysts in the rocket engines convert the hydrogen peroxide by an exothermic catalytic reaction; the resulting hot gases oxygen and water vapor provide the thrust. Currently used catalysts are, for example, Al2O3 pellets impregnated with platinum. Within a joint research project of Aschaffenburg University and the German Aerospace Center new catalysts are developed. They consist of ceramic pellets coated with iridium using the magnetron sputtering process. Thereby the surface structure of the iridium layers strongly depends on the used sputtering process conditions [1]. After optimization of the sputtering parameters, it was demonstrated in laboratory experiments that the catalytic effect (measured by the volume of released gas) can be increased by a factor of four compared to platinum impregnated pellets [2]. In first hot firing tests at the test bench complex M11 at the DLR- Institute of Space Propulsion, these new, iridium-based catalysts have been used in a model combustion chamber for hydrogen peroxide decomposition. For this purpose, the reaction chamber was filled with iridium pellets in the high-altitude simulation chamber of the M11.2 test bench. The model chamber was equipped with numerous measuring devices like temperature and pressure sensors (e.g. Tcat, pcat). With the help of the mass flow and the herein obtained data, performance characteristics of the propellant system were accessible. High-concentrated hydrogen peroxide was used in the experiments as monopropellant (~ 87-wt.\% H2O2). During the experiments, the combustion chamber was operated in pulse mode and in continuous mode. Aim of this campaign called MoCa ("Monopropellant Catalytic Demonstrator") is the demonstration of functionality and the performance evaluation of this iridium-based monopropellant system. Recent experimental results will be presented. References: [1] A. B{\"u}ttner et al., Thin Solid Films 2018, 662: 41-46 [2] M. Stollenwerk et al., Journal of Materials Science 2021, 56(16), 9974-9984}, subject = {Satellitentechnik}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{DoehringStadtmuellerStollenwerketal.2021, author = {D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Cotroneo, Vincenzo and Pareschi, Giovanni and Gibertini, Eugenio and Magagnin, Luca}, title = {Low-density coatings for enhanced X-ray reflectivity of astronomical telescope mirrors}, series = {DGaO Proceedings}, volume = {2021}, booktitle = {DGaO Proceedings}, number = {122}, publisher = {DGaO}, organization = {TH Aschaffenburg}, issn = {1614-8436}, pages = {1 -- 2}, year = {2021}, abstract = {High reflectivity grazing incidence mirrors of astronomical X-ray telescopes are usually coated with thin layers of iridium, gold, or platinum. Due to a series of absorption edges, these noble metals have low reflectivity in the 2 - 4 keV band. We present the development of innovative material combinations using chromium and an additional layer of polydopamine for enhanced reflectivity X-ray coatings.}, subject = {R{\"o}ntgenteleskop}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DoehringRoedlingKimmeletal.2021, author = {D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and R{\"o}dling, Claudius and Kimmel, Kevin and Zeising, Sebastian and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Verma, Shruti and Rees, Paul}, title = {Optical characterization of reflective coatings for astronomical telescope mirrors}, series = {DGaO Proceedings}, volume = {2021}, booktitle = {DGaO Proceedings}, number = {122}, publisher = {DGaO}, organization = {TH Aschaffenburg}, issn = {1614-8436}, pages = {1 -- 1}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Aluminium evaporation is still the standard solution for reflective coatings of large astronomical mirrors. Silver and gold are also used in specific cases depending on the targeted wavelength. This study characterized different metallic coatings - including unusual ones like sputtered iridium - to identify the most suitable mirror coating for the spectral range from ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths.}, subject = {Spiegelteleskop}, language = {en} } @misc{DoehringStadtmuellerStollenwerketal.2021, author = {D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Cotroneo, Vincenzo and Pareschi, Giovanni and Gibertini, Eugenio and Magagnin, Luca}, title = {Low-density coatings for enhanced X-ray reflectivity of astronomical telescope mirrors}, series = {DGaO Jahrestagung}, volume = {2021}, journal = {DGaO Jahrestagung}, organization = {TH Aschaffenburg}, pages = {1 -- 1}, year = {2021}, abstract = {X-ray telescopes usually operate in space and are quite different from astronomical telescopes for visible light. For normal angles of incidence, optical light is reflected on the mirror surface, whereas X-rays are either transmitted or absorbed. However, also high reflectivity X-rays mirrors are possible, when the incident rays direction is almost parallel to the mirror surface. Such grazing incidence mirrors are usually coated with thin layers of precious metals like iridium, gold or platinum, as this result in high X-ray reflectivity. These noble metals offer a wide range of reflection up to high photon energies, but, due to a series of absorption edges, have low reflectivity in the 2 - 4 keV band and below. This contribution presents the development of innovative material combinations based on thin layers of iridium and chromium, followed by an additional layer of carbon-based materials. We also discuss corresponding production methods (like dip coating) for enhanced reflectivity mirror coatings of future X-ray telescopes.}, subject = {R{\"o}ntgenstrahlung}, language = {en} } @article{StollenwerkDoehringFreudenmannetal.2021, author = {Stollenwerk, Manfred and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Freudenmann, Dominic and Sch{\"a}fer, Tobias and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and R{\"o}cke, Nicole}, title = {Sputtered highly effective iridium catalysts: a new approach for green satellite propulsion}, series = {Journal of Materials Science}, volume = {2021}, journal = {Journal of Materials Science}, number = {2021}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-05897-z}, pages = {1 -- 11}, year = {2021}, abstract = {This work demonstrated the large potential of sputtered iridium metal for catalytic reactions shown by the example of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for space propulsion systems. For this purpose, iridium was coated onto Al2O3 pellets by a sputter process under varied process parameters. Depending on previously selected parameters, the obtained metal-loaded pellets offer closed- and/or open-shell structures. Catalytic productivity of these first-generation iridium-sputtered catalysts was estimated in laboratory experiments and compared to platinum-loaded pellets. Under optimized sputter-process conditions, the reactivity is significantly improved compared to the platinum-impregnated pellets. The better catalytic productivity can be explained by the increased active surface area of the iridium layers on the pellets. The surface morphology and the microstructure of the iridium coating can be actively controlled by the sputter pressure. The results are in accordance with the sputtering process pressure tendency described by the Thornton Structure-Zone Model.}, subject = {Iridium}, language = {en} } @misc{DoehringStollenwerkStadtmuelleretal.2021, author = {D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Freudenmann, Dominic and R{\"o}cke, Nicole}, title = {Nanostructured iridium catalysts for effective hydrogen peroxide decomposition}, series = {EuroNanoForum}, volume = {2021}, journal = {EuroNanoForum}, organization = {TH Aschaffenburg}, pages = {1}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The EU intends to restrict the use of critical fuels in space propulsion systems. These propellants like hydrazine are chemically aggressive, toxic and carcinogenic. Space propulsion of the future should be environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and easy to handle. Aschaffenburg University and DLR are currently developing environmentally friendly technologies for future satellite engines. Thereby rocket-grade hydrogen peroxide, which is foreseen as a substitute, is converted to uncritical water vapour and oxygen by an exothermic catalytic reaction on nanostructured iridium layers. The resulting hot gases provide the required amount of thrust. The iridium catalyst layers are coated onto ceramic pellets, using RF magnetron sputtering technology. The catalytic functionality was tested afterwards at the chemical laboratories of DLR. First experimental results show a significantly higher catalytic activity for nanostructured iridium surfaces than for smoother crystalline layers.}, subject = {Iridium}, language = {en} } @article{AmorimSperaNicoaraetal.2024, author = {Amorim, Isilda and Spera, Natalia C.M. and Nicoara, Nicoleta and Ramasamy, Devaraj and Alves, Diana F. and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Sadewasser, Sascha and Kolen'ko, Yury V. and Sousa, Juliana P.S.}, title = {Overall alkaline water electrolysis over active, stable, low loading iridium catalysts sputtered on nickel foam}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {92}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.306}, pages = {852 -- 864}, year = {2024}, subject = {Iridium}, language = {en} } @incollection{WisselFreudenmannPerezetal.2025, author = {Wissel, Julian and Freudenmann, Dominic and Perez, Nicolas and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Stollenwerk, Manfred}, title = {Various highly effective sputtered layer structures as catalysts for H2O2 decomposition for use in satellite engines}, series = {MaterialsWeek 2025 - Book of Abstracts}, booktitle = {MaterialsWeek 2025 - Book of Abstracts}, publisher = {Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Materialkunde e.V. (DGM)}, address = {Sankt Augustin}, isbn = {978-3-88355-446-4}, pages = {53 -- 53}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Catalysts are frequently employed in both research and industrial applications to facilitate or accelerate chemical reactions. One such application is in monopropellant thrusters for space propulsion systems, where hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used as a liquid propellant. The decomposition of liquid hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas, which ultimately generates thrust, can be achieved using noble metal catalysts from the platinoid group, such as platinum and iridium. This promotes the use of more environmentally friendly and less toxic propellants, such as H2O2, instead of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO). The optimization of coating structures with these catalytic materials is essential for future space applications, as it aims to extend the lifespan of catalyst materials and results in a better utilization of H2O2 in satellite engines. Therefore, different layer structures were deposited onto Duranit D99 pellets using a controlled magnetron sputtering process. Previous studies have shown that the used sputtering pressure has a strong influence on the structure of the deposited coatings [2][3]. Certain parameter combinations produce catalytic layers with rough textures and a highly porous microstructure, see figure 1 [1]. To improve the thermal and mechanical stability of the sputtered layers, thin adhesive layers of Titanium and Zirconium were applied beneath the catalytic layer. The pellets were then heated in an oven at 640°C for one minute to simulate the thermal effects experienced in a satellite engine during ignition. Following this, the catalytic performance of the pellets was tested in laboratory experiments using 30\% H2O2. Pellets with sputtered platinum as the catalytic coating delivered the best results. These coatings will be further evaluated in an engine test conducted at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). Hydrogen peroxide is also expected to play a crucial role in future lunar and Martian colonization efforts. In this context, catalytic coatings would be used to decompose H2O2 to supply astronauts with water and oxygen, rather than to generate thrust in satellite engines.}, subject = {Satellitentechnik}, language = {en} } @article{WisselFreudenmannCichockaetal.2024, author = {Wissel, Julian and Freudenmann, Dominic and Cichocka, Magdalena Ola and P{\"o}hl, Almut and Stephan-Hofmann, Iris and R{\"o}cke, Nicole and P{\´e}rez, Nicol{\´a}s and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Stollenwerk, Manfred}, title = {Microstructure of highly effective platinum-iridium alloys as catalysts for hydrogen peroxide decomposition}, series = {Research on Chemical Intermediates}, volume = {50}, journal = {Research on Chemical Intermediates}, number = {11}, publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, issn = {0922-6168}, doi = {10.1007/s11164-024-05412-4}, pages = {5385 -- 5397}, year = {2024}, subject = {Iridium}, language = {en} } @incollection{StanikStollenwerkHuebneretal.2025, author = {Stanik, Eva and Stollenwerk, Manfred and H{\"u}bner, Sophie and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten}, title = {Experimental studies on iridium catalysts for water PEM electrolysis}, series = {MaterialsWeek 2025 - Book of Abstracts}, booktitle = {MaterialsWeek 2025 - Book of Abstracts}, publisher = {Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Materialkunde e.V. (DGM)}, address = {Sankt Augustin}, isbn = {978-3-88355-446-4}, pages = {62 -- 62}, year = {2025}, abstract = {The enhanced use of sustainable energy sources entails strong fluctuations in the availability of electric power. As we need new approaches for energy distribution and energy storage systems, hydrogen is often discussed as a promising energy carrier. PEM electrolysis can be used to transform electrical energy from renewable sources into hydrogen. One challenge in this context is the need for catalysts, as these contribute significantly to the performance of the electrolysis cell. The commonly used platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts like Iridium are quite scarce and therefore expensive. A possible approach to reduce the Ir content is the application of magnetron sputtering for catalyst generation. By selecting the right process parameters, the desired layer properties can be set very precisely during sputtering. This ensures a large surface area with reduced material usage. The introduction of carbon can increase the surface area of the catalyst further and enhance its effectiveness. First results of investigations on the catalytic effect of sputtered Ir catalyst layers will be presented.}, subject = {Iridium}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{StehlikovaDoehringStollenwerketal.2021, author = {Stehlikova, Veronika and D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Marsikova, Veronika and Hudec, Rene and Flachs, Dennis and Burwitz, Vadim and Hartner, Gisela and Rukdee, Surangkhana and M{\"u}ller, Thomas and Schmidt, Thomas and Inneman, Adolf and Klementova, Mariana and Zeising, Sebastian and Langmeier, Andreas}, title = {Lobster eye type X-ray telescope with chromium-iridium coated tri-layer mirrors}, series = {Proceedings of SPIE}, volume = {2021}, booktitle = {Proceedings of SPIE}, number = {11776}, publisher = {SPIE}, organization = {Czech Technical University in Prague}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2589266}, pages = {1177605-1 -- 1177605-8}, year = {2021}, abstract = {For space-born astronomical X-ray telescopes, iridium-based reflective layer systems are known as highly effective mirrors coatings. During the recent years, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and the Czech Technical University in Prague jointly developed stress compensated chromium-iridium coatings for this application. To overcome the disturbing reflectivity reduction of the iridium absorption edge around 2 keV photon energy, thin overcoat layers of chromium were applied in addition. Now a prototype of a wide-field, imaging X-ray telescope of Lobster Eye type is assembled at the company RIGAKU. For this purpose a small series of 34 mirrors based on 100 x 50 mm semiconductor grade silicon substrates has been coated at Aschaffenburg University. The applied tri-layer system consists of a stack of 40 nm chromium, which act as adhesive layer and compensates layer stress, a 30 nm iridium thick reflective layer, and an additional overcoat layer of 6 nm chromium. This layer system have been analysed by AFM and TEM images. The mirrors are assembled into an aluminium frame to build a 2D Lobster Eye type telescope. The designed focal length of this wide field X-ray telescope is two meter. To study the performance of the tri-layer coating system, a twin LE telescope with convenient gold coatings was manufactured also. Performance measurements of both telescopes and under same conditions are planned at the PANTER test facility at the Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. First experimental results, their comparison with theoretical simulations and the comparison between both models will be presented in this contribution.}, subject = {R{\"o}ntgenteleskop}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DoehringStollenwerkStadtmuelleretal.2021, author = {D{\"o}hring, Thorsten and Stollenwerk, Manfred and Stadtm{\"u}ller, Johannes and Zeising, Sebastian and Flachs, Dennis and Stehlikova, Veronika and Burwitz, Vadim and Krumrey, Michael K. and Cotroneo, Vincenzo and Klementova, Mariana}, title = {Characterisation of X-ray mirrors based on chromium-iridium tri-layer coatings}, series = {Proceedings of SPIE}, volume = {2021}, booktitle = {Proceedings of SPIE}, number = {11776}, publisher = {SPIE}, organization = {TH Aschaffenburg}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2592551}, pages = {1177607-1 -- 11776076}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Iridium-based layer systems are highly effective mirror coatings for space-born X-ray telescopes. During the recent years, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and its partners developed stress compensated chromium-iridium coatings for such astronomical applications, using chromium as an adhesive layer between iridium reflective layer and mirror substrate. However, there was room for improvement: To overcome the disturbing reflectivity reduction of the iridium absorption edge around 2 keV photon energy, thin overcoat layers of chromium are applied in addition now. This layer system has been analyzed by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images. Furthermore, the reflectivity of such innovative X-ray mirrors based on chromium-iridium tri-layer coatings was recently measured at PTB's four-crystal monochromator beamline at the synchrotron radiation facility BESSY II. The experimental results, obtained for photon energies between 1.9 keV and 11 keV at two grazing incidence angles (0.6 degree and 0.9 degree) and their comparison with corresponding simulations are presented in this contribution. When compared to simulations of pure iridium coatings, a significantly higher reflectivity was achieved especially in the soft X-ray regime between 2 keV and 4 keV. Such chromium-iridium tri-layer coatings have high potential to increase the effective area for X-ray telescopes in Lobster Eye Design, for Wolter-I type X-ray optics, and for silicon pore optics as considered for the ATHENA telescope of the European Space Agency.}, subject = {R{\"o}ntgenspiegel}, language = {en} }