Most observations of the solar corona beyond 2 Rs consist of broadband visible light imagery from coronagraphs. The associated diagnostics mainly consist of kinematics and derivations of the electron number density. While the measurement of the properties of emission lines can provide crucial additional diagnostics of the coronal plasma (temperatures, velocities, abundances, etc.), these observations are comparatively rare. In visible wavelengths, observations at these heights are limited to total eclipses. In the VUV range, very few additional observations have been achieved since the pioneering results of UVCS. One of the objectives of the Full Sun Imager (FSI) channel of the EUI telescope on board the Solar Orbiter mission has been to provide very wide field-of-view EUV diagnostics of the morphology and dynamics of the solar atmosphere in temperature regimes that are typical of the lower transition region and of the corona. FSI carries out observations in two narrowbands of the EUV spectrum centered on 17.4 nm and 30.4 nm that are dominated, respectively, by lines of Fe IX/X (formed in the corona around 1 MK) and by the resonance line of He II (formed around 80 kK in the lower transition region). Unlike previous EUV imagers, FSI includes a moveable occulting disk that can be inserted in the optical path to reduce the amount of instrumental stray light to a minimum. FSI detects signals at 17.4 nm up to the edge of its FOV (7~Rs), which is about twice further than was previously possible. Comparisons with observations by the LASCO and Metis coronagraphs confirm the presence of morphological similarities and differences between the broadband visible light and EUV emissions, as documented on the basis of prior eclipse and space-based observations. The very-wide-field observations of FSI are paving the way for future dedicated instruments.

X-ray diagnostics are key instruments for understanding the physics behind inertial confinement fusion experiments. We report on the multilayer design optimization for the Toroidal X-ray Imager (TXI), a hard x-rays microscope instrument designed by Commissariat à l'énergie atomique (CEA) and Laboratoire Charles Fabry (LCF) to be installed on the National Ignition Facility. TXI includes six channels designed for three different energy bands centered on 8.7, 13, and 17.5 keV. Each channel is made up of two toroidal mirrors arranged in a Wolter-like configuration. The required field of view is 800 × 400 µm2, and the resolution should be better than 5 µm. In addition, we seek to estimate the spatial distribution of the temperature, which requires no spectral overlap of the different energy bands and a good spectral homogeneity of the image produced. The development of the multilayer coatings was performed in a two-step method. First, the coatings were optimized to obtain proper energy bands. Then, an x-ray tracing code was used to calculate the integrated optical response of each channel and adjust the response of the mirror to fulfill the requirements. To fulfill all the specifications, we propose an original design using a combination of two aperiodic coatings, one with a narrow bandwidth and the other one with a larger bandwidth.

We present the commissioning of the FAB10 beamline (Femtosecond to Attosecond Beamline at 10 kHz repetition rate) that has been developped and operated in the last few years at the ATTOLab facility of Paris-Saclay University. Based on the high harmonic generation process, the beamline is dedicated to investigations of ultrafast dynamics in a broad variety of systems ranging from gas phase to condensed matter in pump-probe arrangements. Its design and operation has been strongly influenced by both the laser and the large scale instruments communities, which makes it unique in several aspects. In particular, it is possible to tune the extreme ultraviolet (XUV, 10–100 eV) bandwidth from 0.2 to 20 eV – with corresponding pulse duration from 30 to 0.3 femtoseconds (fs) – thanks to an original and fully automated XUV spectral filter with three operation modes. After a general overview of the beamline features, each of those operation modes is described, characterized and illustrated with commissioning experiments.

Context.The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) is part of the remote sensing instrument package of the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission that will explore the inner heliosphere and observe the Sun from vantage points close to the Sun and out of the ecliptic. Solar Orbiter will advance the “connection science” between solar activity and the heliosphere.Aims.With EUI we aim to improve our understanding of the structure and dynamics of the solar atmosphere, globally as well as at high resolution, and from high solar latitude perspectives.Methods.The EUI consists of three telescopes, the Full Sun Imager and two High Resolution Imagers, which are optimised to image in Lyman-αand EUV (17.4 nm, 30.4 nm) to provide a coverage from chromosphere up to corona. The EUI is designed to cope with the strong constraints imposed by the Solar Orbiter mission characteristics. Limited telemetry availability is compensated by state-of-the-art image compression, onboard image processing, and event selection. The imposed power limitations and potentially harsh radiation environment necessitate the use of novel CMOS sensors. As the unobstructed field of view of the telescopes needs to protrude through the spacecraft’s heat shield, the apertures have been kept as small as possible, without compromising optical performance. This led to a systematic effort to optimise the throughput of every optical element and the reduction of noise levels in the sensor.Results.In this paper we review the design of the two elements of the EUI instrument: the Optical Bench System and the Common Electronic Box. Particular attention is also given to the onboard software, the intended operations, the ground software, and the foreseen data products.Conclusions.The EUI will bring unique science opportunities thanks to its specific design, its viewpoint, and to the planned synergies with the other Solar Orbiter instruments. In particular, we highlight science opportunities brought by the out-of-ecliptic vantage point of the solar poles, the high-resolution imaging of the high chromosphere and corona, and the connection to the outer corona as observed by coronagraphs.

Multilayer Ag/Y mirrors intended for the spectral range of 9–11 nm have been investigated. The parameters of mirrors, specifically, the thicknesses of transition layers, have been determined. The efficiency of B 4 C and Si barrier layers has been demonstrated. It has been shown that the properties of structures like Ag/Y and Ag/Y with B 4 C and Si barriers layers have poor temporal stability. The highest reflection coefficient of 18% at a wavelength of 9.34 nm, has been observed for the Ag/Si/Y structure. The same structure has the best temporal stability.

AbstractMultilayer Ag/Y mirrors intended for the spectral range of 9–11 nm have been investigated. The parameters of mirrors, specifically, the thicknesses of transition layers, have been determined. The efficiency of B_4C and Si barrier layers has been demonstrated. It has been shown that the properties of structures like Ag/Y and Ag/Y with B_4C and Si barriers layers have poor temporal stability. The highest reflection coefficient of 18% at a wavelength of 9.34 nm, has been observed for the Ag/Si/Y structure. The same structure has the best temporal stability.

The article is devoted to the development, fabrication and analysis of broadband Mo/Si and Mo/Be stack-design multilayer mirrors for the wavelength ranges of 11.1-13.8, 17–21 and 28–33 nm. It is shown that for these structures smooth reflection curves can be achieved in a small number of corrections of the technological process.

Broadband Mo/Si and Mo/Be multilayer stack-type mirrors for wavelength intervals of 11.1–13.8, 17–21, and 28–33 nm have been developed and fabricated. Uniform reflection of such structures can be implemented using few corrections of technological process.

Multilayer aluminum-based structures reflecting at λ(HeI) = 58.4 nm were studied. Spectral and angular dependences of the reflection coefficient of these coatings were determined using a laboratory reflectometer and at the ELETTRA and BESSY II synchrotrons. The optical characteristics of multilayer Ru/Al and Mo/Al mirrors with a protective MoSi 2 layer were found to be stable: the absolute change in the reflection coefficient within 18 months of storage in air was no larger than 1.5%. The peak near-normal reflection coefficient for Mo/Al mirrors at 58.4 nm was R = 26.1% with FWHM Δλ 0.5 = 10 nm of the reflection curve.

AbstractMultilayer aluminum-based structures reflecting at λ(HeI) = 58.4 nm were studied. Spectral and angular dependences of the reflection coefficient of these coatings were determined using a laboratory reflectometer and at the ELETTRA and BESSY II synchrotrons. The optical characteristics of multilayer Ru/Al and Mo/Al mirrors with a protective MoSi_2 layer were found to be stable: the absolute change in the reflection coefficient within 18 months of storage in air was no larger than 1.5%. The peak near-normal reflection coefficient for Mo/Al mirrors at 58.4 nm was R = 26.1% with FWHM Δλ_0.5 = 10 nm of the reflection curve.

We present recent advances in the development of Chromium-based interference coatings in the EUV/soft x-ray range. We achieved breakthroughs in coating efficiency by using advanced concepts including 3-material multilayers and interface engineering.

The results of an investigation on oxidation processes in Mo/Be multilayer nanofilms are presented. The films annealed both in ambient atmosphere and in vacuum. The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray reflectivity of the samples at 11.34 and at 0.154 nm respectively were measured before and after the treatment. No noticeable changes in film thicknesses and boundaries were observed during the annealing at temperatures up to 300°C. An oxidation mechanism of the nanofilms Mo/Be is established and the activation energy of the oxidation process is estimated to be 38 kJ/mol. To determine an absolute quantity of oxygen in the oxidized layers, a simple technique based on the EUV reflectivity data is proposed, and the range of its applicability is subsequently analysed.

We present an experimental comparison of several Sc-based short period multilayer mirrors including Cr/Sc with B4C barrier layers and CrNx/Sc, and we propose a new material combination that provides high reflectance in the water window domain. Multilayer samples with period thickness in the range 1.5-1.7 nm have been deposited by magnetron sputtering and characterized by x-ray reflectometry with a Cu-Kα source and with synchrotron radiation near the Sc-L2,3 edge. Best results are achieved by combining the nitridation of Cr layers and the addition of B4C barrier layers. Near normal incidence reflectance as high as 23% has been measured at photon energy of 397 eV. A simulation model of the multilayer structure is proposed and it predicts that reflectance higher than 32% is achievable with CrNx/B4C/Sc mirrors.

The effect of structural defects (for example, of interlayer roughness, layer thickness fluctuations and departures of Mo film density from the tabular one) on the amplitude and phase of the complex reflection coefficient as well as on the amplitude and duration of reflected pulses is numerically studied by the example of a model aperiodic Mo/Si multilayer mirror intended for the compression of a chirped pulse with a spectrum lying in a 50-80 eV photon energy range. The departures of Mo film density from the tabular values and film thickness fluctuations are shown to exert the strongest effect on the amplitude and duration of the reflected pulses. The interlayer roughness has a comparable effect on the amplitude of the reflection coefficient, but its effect on the duration of reflected pulses is weaker. Even small film thickness fluctuations may give rise to additional reflected pulses of high intensity, which are delayed in time relative to the principal pulse. The Mo-film density in a Mo/Si mirror is shown to vary from 0.77 to 0.97 (in units of the tabular value for massive molybdenum) as the film thickness varies from 1.5 to 5.5 nm. We discuss the key problems that have to be solved in the development of the fabrication technology of multilayer mirrors with desired characteristics.

We present an experimental study of the effect of layer interfaces on the x-ray reflectance in Cr/B4C multilayer interference coatings with layer thicknesses ranging from 0.7 nm to 5.4 nm. The multilayers were deposited by magnetron sputtering and by ion beam sputtering. Grazing incidence x-ray reflectometry, soft x-ray reflectometry, and transmission electron microscopy reveal asymmetric multilayer structures with a larger B4C-on-Cr interface, which we modeled with a 1–1.5 nm thick interfacial layer. Reflectance measurements in the vicinity of the Cr L2,3 absorption edge demonstrate fine structure that is not predicted by simulations using the currently tabulated refractive index (optical constants) values for Cr.

Laboratoire Charles Fabry develops multilayer mirrors for University of Paris-Saclay state-of-the-art coherent XUV sources. We report on the recent advances in multilayer optics including mirrors for as/fs delay line and for a 10-100 eV polarizer.

The results of experimental investigation of parametric radiation generated by 5.7 MeV electrons in a multilayer structure consisting of 100 Cr/Sc bi-layers deposited on a Si3N4 membrane are presented. The multilayer structure was specially created for generation of parametric radiation with photon energy in "water-window" spectral range. First test measurements of angular distributions of radiation have been done and discussed.

After a brief review of recent results achieved at Laboratoire Charles Fabry concerning high reflectivity mirrors, mirrors with enhanced spectral purity and broadband mirrors, we describe a new approach to design high efficiency multilayer mirrors for application on a broad spectral range. The main idea is to use 2 "spacer" materials (Aluminum and Scandium) in combination with a third material (Boron carbide or Silicon Carbide). We present several examples of design optimization using such multilayers. Finally, we show the first preliminary experimental results with Al/Sc/B4C and Al/Sc/SiC multilayers deposited by ion beam sputtering.

Radiative shocks can be produced in gases using high-energy lasers. As the electron density may be higher than the critical density for visible light, radiography with soft x-ray radiation becomes very promising technique to probe these shocks. Feasibility of this method has been proven employing zinc soft x-ray laser at 21.2 nm as backlighter. The experiment has shown high requirements on quality of the imaging optics and windows of the gas filled cell.

In this paper, we report on the design, synthesis and characterization of extreme ultraviolet interferential mirrors for solar imaging applications in the spectral range 17nm–34nm. This research is carried out in the context of the preparation of the European Space Agency Solar Orbiter mission. The purpose of this study consists in optimizing the deposition of Al-based multilayers by ion beam sputtering according to several parameters such as the ion beam current and the sputtering angle. After optimization of Al thin films, several kinds of Al-based multilayer mirrors have been compared. We have deposited and characterized bi-material and also tri-material periodic multilayers: aluminum/molybdenum [Al/Mo], aluminum/molybdenum/boron carbide [Al/Mo/B4C] and aluminum/molybdenum/silicon carbide [Al/Mo/SiC]. Best experimental results have been obtained on Al/Mo/SiC samples: we have measured reflectivity up to 48% at 17.3nm and 27.5% at 28.2nm on a synchrotron radiation source.