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Soft X-ray reflectivity measurements of the mirrors flown on the Ariel-6 satellite

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Abstract

This paper describes the detailed calibration at soft X-ray energies (0.1–2.0 keV; 125 Å-6 Å) of gold coated, paraboloidal X-ray mirrors, four of which were subsequently flow on the Ariel-6 satellite. Uncertainties in the attitude of the satellite together with an apparent reduction in sensitivity of the soft X-ray experiment necessitated observations using the Crab Nebula as a reference. These showed that a dramatic reduction in the reflection efficiencies of all four mirrors had occurred, almost certainly after or during launch. An initial recalibration of the mirrors using the Crab observation is described.

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Herring, J.R.H., Campbell, D.J., Goodall, C.V. et al. Soft X-ray reflectivity measurements of the mirrors flown on the Ariel-6 satellite. Astrophys Space Sci 89, 325–339 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00655985

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