TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Probst, Anne-Catherine A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Wen, Mingwu A1 - Proserpio, Laura ED - den Herder, Jan-Willem A. ED - Takahashi, Tadayuki ED - Bautz, Marshall T1 - Development of low-stress Iridium coatings for astronomical x-ray mirrors T2 - Proceedings of SPIE 9905, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2016: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray N2 - Previously used mirror technologies are not suitable for the challenging needs of future X-ray telescopes. This is why the required high precision mirror manufacturing triggers new technical developments around the world. Some aspects of X-ray mirrors production are studied within the interdisciplinary project INTRAAST, a German acronym for "industry transfer of astronomical mirror technologies". The project is embedded in a cooperation of Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and the Max-Planck-Institute for extraterrestrial Physics. One important task is the development of low-stress Iridium coatings for X-ray mirrors based on slumped thin glass substrates. The surface figure of the glass substrates is measured before and after the coating process by optical methods. Correlating the surface shape deformation to the parameters of coating deposition, here especially to the Argon sputtering pressure, allows for an optimization of the process. The sputtering parameters also have an influence on the coating layer density and on the micro-roughness of the coatings, influencing their X-ray reflection properties. Unfortunately the optimum coating process parameters seem to be contrarious: low Argon pressure resulted in better micro-roughness and higher density, whereas higher pressure leads to lower coating stress. Therefore additional measures like intermediate coating layers and temperature treatment will be considered for further optimization. The technical approach for the low-stress Iridium coating development, the experimental equipment, and the obtained first experimental results are presented within this paper. KW - telescope KW - mirror KW - coating KW - iridium KW - astronomy KW - Röntgenspiegel KW - Iridium KW - Beschichtung Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232074 VL - 2016 IS - 9905 SP - 99056S-1 EP - 99056S-7 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Stehlikova, Veronika A1 - Probst, Anne-Catherine A1 - Nentvich, Ondrej A1 - Urban, Martin A1 - Sieger, Ladislav A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Hudec, René ED - Skopal, Augustín T1 - Study of multiple layers coatings for X–ray mirrors JF - Contributions of the Astronomical Observatory Skalnaté Pleso N2 - This paper focuses on a theoretical background that motivated the experimental campaign of multiple layer coatings of X-ray mirrors, and the first results of the testing of the prepared samples. Simulations of the use of different overcoats were performed in order to improve the reflectivity of thin iridium coatings designed for X-ray optics effective in the energy up to 10 keV. Samples based on these simulations were prepared and are being tested for the properties that influence the X-ray optical performance, such as layer homogeneity, density and surface micro-roughness. Further the topic of the coating stress was addressed, as it is an issue in case of thin, lightweight X-ray mirrors and affects the time stability of layers. The discussion and preliminary results conclude our contribution. KW - X-ray KW - optics KW - coating KW - reflectivity KW - iridium KW - Röntgenspiegel KW - Iridium Y1 - 3018 UR - https://www.ta3.sk/caosp/Eedition/Abstracts/2018/Vol_48/No_3/pp488-497_abstract.html VL - 2018 IS - 48 SP - 488 EP - 497 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Probst, Anne-Catherine A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Emmerich, Florian A1 - Stehlíková, Veronika A1 - Inneman, Adolf ED - Hudec, René ED - Pina, Ladislav T1 - Prototyping iridium coated mirrors for X-ray astronomy T2 - Proceedings of the International Society for Optics and Photonics N2 - X-ray astronomy uses space-based telescopes to overcome the disturbing absorption of the Earth´s atmosphere. The telescope mirrors are operating at grazing incidence angles and are coated with thin metal films of high-Z materials to get sufficient reflectivity for the high-energy radiation to be observed. In addition the optical payload needs to be light-weighted for launcher mass constrains. Within the project JEUMICO, an acronym for “Joint European Mirror Competence”, the Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and the Czech Technical University in Prague started a collaboration to develop mirrors for X-ray telescopes. The X-ray telescopes currently developed within this Bavarian- Czech project are of Lobster eye type optical design. Corresponding mirror segments use substrates of flat silicon wafers which are coated with thin iridium films, as this material is promising high reflectivity in the X-ray range of interest. The deposition of the iridium films is based on a magnetron sputtering process. Sputtering with different parameters, especially by variation of the argon gas pressure, leads to iridium films with different properties. In addition to investigations of the uncoated mirror substrates the achieved surface roughness has been studied. Occasional delamination of the iridium films due to high stress levels is prevented by chromium sublayers. Thereby the sputtering parameters are optimized in the context of the expected reflectivity of the coated X-ray mirrors. In near future measurements of the assembled mirror modules optical performances are planned at an X-ray test facility. KW - X-ray KW - iridium KW - mirror KW - lightweight optic KW - Lobster Eye KW - Iridium KW - Röntgenastronomie KW - Spiegelteleskop Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2265931 VL - 2017 IS - 10235 SP - 1023504-1 EP - 1023504-8 PB - SPIE International Society for Optics and Photonics CY - Bellingham WA ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hudec, Rene A1 - Döhring, Thorsten ED - Slovak Academy of Sciences Astronomical Institute, T1 - JEUMICO: Czech-Bavarian astronomical X-ray optics project JF - Contributions of the Astronomical Observatory Skalnaté Pleso N2 - Within the project JEUMICO, an acronym for Joint European Mirror Competence, the Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences and the Czech Technical University in Prague started a collaboration to develop mirrors for X-ray telescopes. Corresponding mirror segments use substrates of at silicon wafers which are coated with thin iridium � lms, as this material is promising high re ectivity in the X-ray range of interest. The sputtering parameters are optimized in the context of the expected re ectivity of the coated X-ray mirrors. In near future measurements of the assembled mirror modules optical performances are planned at an X-ray test facility. KW - JEUMICO KW - astronomy KW - mirror KW - iridium KW - Iridium KW - Spiegelteleskop Y1 - 2017 UR - https://www.ta3.sk/caosp/Eedition/Abstracts/2017/Vol_47/No_2/pp170-177_abstract.html VL - 2017 IS - 47 SP - 170 EP - 177 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Probst, Anne-Catherine A1 - Emmerich, Florian A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Stehlikova, Veronika A1 - Friedrich, Peter A1 - Damm, Christine T1 - Development of iridium coated X-ray mirrors for astronomical applications T2 - Proceedings of the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) N2 - Future space-based X-ray observatories need to be very lightweight for launcher mass constraints. Therefore they will use a reduced mirror thickness, which results in the additional requirement of low coating stress to avoid deformation of the initial precisely shaped mirror substrates. Due to their excellent reflection properties iridium coatings are sometimes applied for grazing incidence mirrors in astronomical X-ray telescopes. At Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences the coating of thin iridium films by an RF-magnetron sputtering technique is under development. The work is embedded in collaborations with the Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany, the Czech Technical University in Prague, the Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera in Italy, the German Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research in Dresden, and the French Institute Fresnel. Sputtering with different parameters leads to iridium films with different properties. The current work is focused on the microstructure of the iridium coatings to study the influence of the substrate and of the argon gas pressure on the thin film growing process. Correlations between coating density, surface micro-roughness, the crystalline structure of the iridium layers, and the expected reflectivity of the X-ray mirror as well as coating stress effects are presented and discussed. The final goal of the project is to integrate the produced prototype mirrors into an X-ray telescope module. On a longer timescale measurements of the mirror modules optical performance are planned at the X-ray test facility PANTER. KW - X-ray KW - telescope KW - mirror KW - iridium KW - coating KW - Iridium KW - Röntgenteleskop Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2273988 VL - 2017 IS - 10399 SP - 103991C-1 EP - 103991C-8 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stehlikova, Veronika A1 - Proserpio, Laura A1 - Friedrich, Peter A1 - Madarasz, Emanuel A1 - Breunig, Elias A1 - Burwitz, Vadim A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Probst, Anne-Catherine T1 - Indirect glass slumping of grazing incidence mirror segments for lightweight x-ray telescopes T2 - Proceedings of the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) N2 - The paper provides a description of recent progress in the development of lightweight, precision and highthroughput grazing-incidence mirrors for X-ray astronomy made of glass. In particular, the indirect slumping technology under investigation at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) is reviewed and recent activities are presented together with the research approach. The glass slumping technique foresees several steps: a thermal forming process using a suitable mould; a re ective layer application; the alignment and integration of mirror segments into a supporting structure; and the � nal veri� cation of prototype modules using X-rays. Each step is considered at MPE, with the involvement of partner institutes and universities. The last year of activities was mainly dedicated to the procurement of new moulds and to the application of Iridium coating. The main results will be presented. KW - X-ray KW - iridium KW - telescope KW - slumping KW - glass KW - Iridium KW - Röntgenteleskop Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2272671 VL - 2017 IS - 10399 SP - 103991Z-1 EP - 103991Z-7 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stehlikova, Veronika A1 - Probst, Anne-Catherine A1 - Nentvich, Ondrej A1 - Urban, Martin A1 - Inneman, Adolf A1 - Sieger, Ladislav A1 - Marsikova, Veronika A1 - Döhring, Thorsten T1 - Development of iridium coated silicon X-ray mirrors for Lobster Eye astronomical telescopes T2 - Proceedings of EOSMOS 2017 N2 - In the field of X-ray astronomy different types of telescope optics based on grazing incidence mirrors can be used. This contribution presents a special design of a Lobster Eye wide-field telescope with mirrors based on flat silicon wafers and the task of coating such mirror substrates with reflective iridium layers. KW - X-ray KW - mirror KW - telescope KW - Lobster Eye KW - iridium KW - Iridium KW - Röntgenteleskop Y1 - 2017 VL - 2017 IS - EOSMOS 2017 SP - 1 EP - 2 PB - European Optical Society ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Probst, Anne-Catherine A1 - Begou, Thomas A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Zeising, Sebastian A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Emmerich, Florian A1 - Lumeau, Julien ED - Publishing OSA, T1 - Coating stress analysis and compensation for iridium-based x-ray mirrors JF - Applied Optics N2 - 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. KW - iridium KW - coating stress KW - X-ray KW - mirror KW - astronomy KW - Röntgenteleskop KW - Iridium KW - Spiegelteleskop Y1 - 2018 UR - https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.57.008775 VL - 2018 IS - 57 (29) SP - 8775 EP - 8779 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Hudec, Rene T1 - Optics development for X-ray astronomy – a review on four joint Bavarian-Czech projects N2 - In the years 2016 to 2018 the Bavarian-Czech Academic Agency (BTHA) funded in summary four bilateral projects between Aschaffenburg University and CVUT Prague: JEUMICO, TRILAMICO, JODEXRA, and AXROCO. The effective combination of equipment, manpower, and know-how of both partners resulted in the development of stress-compensated iridium coatings for astronomical X-ray mirrors. The findings have been published at scientific conferences and in joint papers. This poster gives a review on the social , political and educational aspects of the collaborations in form of a photo documentation. N2 - Poster KW - X-ray KW - astronomy KW - iridium KW - coating KW - Röntgenspiegel KW - Astronomie Y1 - 2018 SP - 1 EP - 1 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Schmitt, Paul A1 - Szeghalmi, Adriana T1 - Environmentally stable iridium mirror coatings for the infrared spectral range T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - Highly reflective metal coatings are essential for numerous optical elements. Established mirror coatings made of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) offer high and broadband self-reflection in the infrared (IR) spectral range but are susceptible to environmental influences and mechanical stress without suitable protective layers. In the long-wavelength spectral range, in particular, the absorption bands of these protective layers partially reduce the high mirror reflectivity again. However, the noble metal iridium (Ir) is hard, extremely dense, and thermally, mechanically, and chemically stable. Iridium provides a similarly high reflectivity in the mid (MIR) and far-infrared (FIR) spectral range, as silver and gold, and high resistance to environmental influences - even without protective layers. In this paper, the different deposition processes, as well as the optical and structural properties of iridium mirror coatings fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and by magnetron sputtering (MS), are presented and compared with each other. The complex refractive indices for ALD and MS deposited iridium mirror coatings were determined for wavelengths from 200 nm to 20 μm, complementing the existing literature values. We demonstrate that iridium mirror coatings offer a high and broadband reflectivity from the mid to far-infrared spectral range. In contrast to established – protected – silver and gold mirror coatings, the iridium coatings are environmentally durable and thermally stable up to 600 °C, even without protective layers. Therefore, as an interesting mirror coating material, iridium has the potential for special applications in infrared astronomy and probably also for industrial instruments. KW - iridium KW - coating KW - magnetron sputtering KW - atamic layer deposition KW - reflectivity KW - Iridium KW - Beschichtung Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2632057 VL - 2022 IS - 12298 SP - 122980A-1 EP - 122980A-08 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stieglitz, Veronika A1 - Hudec, Rene A1 - Sapsai, Iryna A1 - Friedrich, Peter A1 - Burwitz, Vadim T1 - Characterization of a lobster-eye type X-ray telescope T2 - EOSAM-Conference N2 - Lobster-eye type X-ray telescopes use reflecting plano mirrors under grazing incidence and can observe a large field of view. As part of a Bavarian-Czech cooperation, two telescopes were build, equipped with mirrors coated with gold and iridium. Their X-ray characterization was carried out at the PANTER test facility, which simulates parallel starlight incident on the telescopes. The telescopes have an angular resolution of about 4 arc minutes in X-rays and a focal length of about 2 meters. The used X-ray mirrors reflect and focus visible light as well; their functionality in the optical regime was checked in laboratory tests. Now another test campaign will be carried out to examine the telescope resolution for real objects of the visible night sky and the imaging properties for star constellations. KW - Lobster-Eye KW - X-ray KW - telescope KW - iridium KW - mirror KW - Röntgenteleskop KW - Iridium KW - Röntgenspiegel Y1 - 2022 UR - https://www.europeanoptics.org/events/eos/eosam2022.html VL - 2022 SP - 1 EP - 1 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Rödling, Claudius A1 - Kimmel, Kevin A1 - Zeising, Sebastian A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Verma, Shruti A1 - Rees, Paul T1 - Optical characterization of reflective coatings for astronomical telescope mirrors T2 - DGaO Jahrestagung N2 - 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. N2 - Poster KW - mirror KW - coating KW - iridium KW - astronomy KW - telescope KW - Spiegelteleskop Y1 - 2021 UR - https://dgao.de/jahrestagung/ VL - 2021 SP - 1 EP - 1 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Cotroneo, Vincenzo A1 - Pareschi, Giovanni A1 - Gibertini, Eugenio A1 - Magagnin, Luca T1 - Low-density coatings for enhanced X-ray reflectivity of astronomical telescope mirrors T2 - DGaO Jahrestagung N2 - 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. N2 - Poster KW - X-ray KW - mirror KW - coating KW - iridium KW - satellite KW - Röntgenstrahlung KW - Spiegelteleskop Y1 - 2021 UR - https://dgao.de/jahrestagung/ VL - 2021 SP - 1 EP - 1 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stehlikova, Veronika A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Schäfer, Tobias A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Friedrich, Peter A1 - Burwitz, Vadim A1 - Hartner, Gisela A1 - Bradshaw, Miranda A1 - Liao, Yingyu A1 - Pelliciari, Carlo T1 - X-ray reflectivity measurements at chromium-iridium tri-layer coatings T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - Studying astronomical objects in the X-ray regime, iridium-based layer systems are highly effective reflective materials for telescopes mirrors. Aschaffenburg University and the Czech Technical University in Prague jointly developed stress compensated chromium-iridium coatings. To overcome the disturbing reflectivity reduction of the iridium absorption edge around 2 keV photon energy and improve general reflectivity at lower incident energies, thin overcoat layers of chromium have been applied in addition. Corresponding measurements at several X-ray lines have been performed on these samples at the PANTER test facility of the Max-Planck Institute for extraterrestrial Physics. A part of the experimental results and their comparison with theoretical simulations are presented in this contribution. KW - iridium KW - mirror KW - coating KW - reflectivity KW - X-ray KW - Röntgenastronomie KW - Röntgenteleskop Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2530439 VL - 2019 IS - 11119 SP - 111191L-1 EP - 111191L-6 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Pareschi, Giovanni A1 - Civitani, Marta Maria A1 - Sironi, Giorgia A1 - Yang, Yang A1 - Cotroneo, Vincenzo A1 - Valsecchi, Giuseppe A1 - Magagnin, Luca A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Bradshaw, Miranda A1 - Burwitz, Vadim A1 - Pelliciari, Carlo T1 - Reflectivity-enhancement at low x-ray energies in astronomical telescopes using low-density overcoatings: alternative materials and deposition methods T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - Low density overcoatings (mainly based on materials containing Carbon) onto usual high-density coatings (based i.e. on materials like e.g. like Ir, Au or Pt) have been proposed since many years ago in order to enhance the X- ray reflectivity at low energy (between 0.5 and 4 keV) of X-ray astronomical optics. The trick is to make use of the total reflection from the thin low-density material (which does not suffer much the photoelectric absorption) at low X-ray energies; the reflection of photons at higher energies (< 4 keV) occurs thanks to the much denser material under the overcoating. For several future projects, like e.g. ATHENA, LYNX and eXTP, it is foreseen the use of low-density overcoatings that will importantly increase the effective area at low X-ray energies. In this paper we will introduce the use of overcoatings based on materials different from the usual ones considered so far like C, B4C and SiC. In particular, we will discuss about a novel approach based on the use of thin layer of a Carbon-like materials deposited using a dip coating method. A possible combination with an intermediate thin layer of Chromium deposited e.g. via sputtering onto the usual high density material (Ir, Au or Pt) before the application of the Carbon-like material is also considered in the study, because it can further greatly enhance the soft X-ray effective area of future X-ray telescopes. KW - coating KW - X-ray KW - telescope KW - iridium KW - Röntgenteleskop Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2532392 VL - 2019 IS - 11119 SP - 11119OS-1 EP - 11119OS-13 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Cotroneo, Vincenzo A1 - Bruni, Ricardo A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Ferreira, Desiree A1 - Gibertini, Eugenio A1 - Henriksen, Peter A1 - Magagnin, Luca A1 - Massahi, Sonny A1 - Pareschi, Giovanni A1 - Romaine, Suzanne A1 - Sethares, Leandra A1 - Sironi, Giorgia A1 - Spiga, Daniele A1 - Tagliaferri, Gianpiero A1 - Valsecchi, Giuseppe T1 - Development of low-density coatings for soft x-ray reflectivity enhancement for ATHENA and other missions T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - Metallic coatings made of precious metals (e.g. Ir, Pt or Au) with high atomic number Z have been traditionally employed at grazing incidence for X-rays reflection and focalization. These materials offer a range of reflection extended to higher energies, but also present a series of absorption edges, which limit the reflectivity in the 2-4 keV band and below. Therefore the search for alternative coatings, able to improve the reflection in the soft energy range, is particularly relevant for the development of future telescopes, like ATHENA (ESA), Lynx (NASA) and eXTP (CAS). Low-Z overcoatings (e.g. carbon or B4C), applied on top of the high-Z metallic layer, can enhance the reflectivity in the softer band (mainly below 2 keV), but conventional deposition methods for these materials are not easily compatible with some of the mainstream technologies for mirror fabrication (notably, the silicon pore optics that will be used for the ATHENA X-ray mission which is being implemented by ESA). In this work we discuss novel solutions (carbon-like overcoatings realized by dip coating or vapor phase deposition), which can be particularly convenient for the application to ATHENA and to future telescopes. KW - X-ray KW - optics KW - ATHENA KW - iridium KW - reflectivity KW - Röntgenteleskop Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2599803 VL - 2021 IS - 11852 SP - 118524P-1 EP - 118524P-13 PB - SPIE ER - TY - GEN A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Freudenmann, Dominic A1 - Röcke, Nicole T1 - Nanostructured iridium catalysts for effective hydrogen peroxide decomposition T2 - EuroNanoForum N2 - 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. N2 - Poster KW - satellite KW - propulsion KW - catalyst KW - iridium KW - hydrogen peroxide KW - Iridium KW - Katalysator KW - Satellitentechnik Y1 - 2021 VL - 2021 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Döhring, Thorsten T1 - Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies for Space Applications T2 - Proceedings of International Research Days N2 - The goal of this project is to develop satellite components for space-based astronomical satellite payloads. Thereby advanced materials like iridium and innovative manufacturing technologies will be applied. After environmental testing and space qualifications tests it is planned to do an astronomical experiment with a stratospheric balloon or a sounding rocket. The work is embedded in ACCASI („Aschaffenburg Competence Center for Astronomical and Space Instumentation“) N2 - Poster KW - satellite KW - iridium KW - telescope KW - mirror KW - Satellitentechnik KW - Iridium KW - Spiegelteleskop Y1 - 2021 VL - 2021 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Wissel, Julian A1 - Freudenmann, Dominic A1 - Perez, Nicolas A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred T1 - Various highly effective sputtered layer structures as catalysts for H2O2 decomposition for use in satellite engines T2 - MaterialsWeek 2025 – Book of Abstracts N2 - 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. KW - catalyst KW - satellite propulsion KW - sputtered layers KW - iridium KW - platinum KW - Satellitentechnik KW - Katalysator Y1 - 2025 SN - 978-3-88355-446-4 SP - 53 EP - 53 PB - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde e.V. (DGM) CY - Sankt Augustin ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stanik, Eva A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Hübner, Sophie A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Döhring, Thorsten T1 - Experimental studies on iridium catalysts for water PEM electrolysis T2 - MaterialsWeek 2025 – Book of Abstracts N2 - 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. KW - catalyst KW - iridium KW - PEM electrolysis KW - hydrogen KW - magnetron sputtering KW - Iridium KW - Katalysator KW - Wasserstoffenergietechnik Y1 - 2025 SN - 978-3-88355-446-4 SP - 62 EP - 62 PB - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde e.V. (DGM) CY - Sankt Augustin ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Stehlikova, Veronika A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Marsikova, Veronika A1 - Hudec, Rene A1 - Flachs, Dennis A1 - Burwitz, Vadim A1 - Hartner, Gisela A1 - Rukdee, Surangkhana A1 - Müller, Thomas A1 - Schmidt, Thomas A1 - Inneman, Adolf A1 - Klementova, Mariana A1 - Zeising, Sebastian A1 - Langmeier, Andreas T1 - Lobster eye type X-ray telescope with chromium-iridium coated tri-layer mirrors T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - 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. KW - telescope KW - Lobster Eye KW - X-ray KW - mirror KW - iridium KW - Röntgenteleskop KW - Röntgenspiegel Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2589266 VL - 2021 IS - 11776 SP - 1177605-1 EP - 1177605-8 PB - SPIE ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Döhring, Thorsten A1 - Stollenwerk, Manfred A1 - Stadtmüller, Johannes A1 - Zeising, Sebastian A1 - Flachs, Dennis A1 - Stehlikova, Veronika A1 - Burwitz, Vadim A1 - Krumrey, Michael K. A1 - Cotroneo, Vincenzo A1 - Klementova, Mariana T1 - Characterisation of X-ray mirrors based on chromium-iridium tri-layer coatings T2 - Proceedings of SPIE N2 - 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. KW - iridium KW - mirror KW - X-ray KW - coating KW - telescope KW - Röntgenspiegel KW - Röntgenteleskop KW - Iridium Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2592551 VL - 2021 IS - 11776 SP - 1177607-1 EP - 11776076 PB - SPIE ER -