The McXtrace AstroX toolbox: a general ray tracing software package for end to end simulation of x-ray optics for astronomical instrumentation

Erik B. Knudsen; Desiree D. M. Ferreira; Niels J. Westergaard; Finn E. Christensen; Sonny Massahi; Brian Shortt; Ivo Ferreira; Daniele Spiga

doi:10.1117/12.2312272

6 July 2018 The McXtrace AstroX toolbox: a general ray tracing software package for end to end simulation of x-ray optics for astronomical instrumentation

Erik B. Knudsen, Desiree D. M. Ferreira, Niels J. Westergaard, Finn E. Christensen, Sonny Massahi, Brian Shortt, Ivo Ferreira, Daniele Spiga

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10699, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 106993S (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312272
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

McXtrace is a general, highly modular, X-ray tracing open source software package for simulating X-ray optics. While initially intended for simulating synchrotron beamlines, it has recently found use in astrophysics. Here it is being used to evaluate the projected performance of X-ray telescope designs. We present the software add-on toolbox ”AstroX” to McXtrace containing all of the common optical elements found in satellite based X-ray telescopes. In addition, the toolbox contains detector and source models relevant for astronomical applications. As an added benefit, users may exploit the heritage of McXtrace and use its beamline elements, to simulate characterization measurements of optical elements. McXtrace AstroX allows for simulation of X-rays telescopes based on different optical concepts such as nested mirror shells and Silicon Pore Optics technology. In this study we present examples of McXtrace AstroX use for ATHENA-, and NuSTAR-like telescope concepts.

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Erik B. Knudsen, Desiree D. M. Ferreira, Niels J. Westergaard, Finn E. Christensen, Sonny Massahi, Brian Shortt, Ivo Ferreira, and Daniele Spiga "The McXtrace AstroX toolbox: a general ray tracing software package for end to end simulation of x-ray optics for astronomical instrumentation", Proc. SPIE 10699, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 106993S (6 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312272

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KEYWORDS

Device simulation

Mirrors

Monte Carlo methods

Telescopes

X-ray telescopes

X-ray optics

X-rays

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