Multilayer supermirrors: broadband reflection coatings for the 15- to 100-keV range

Supermirrors are multilayer structures where the thickness of the layers down through the structure changes so that wide-band reflection occurs. The principles were developed in the mid-70's and have been used extensively for neutron optics. Absorption in the upper layers limits the attainable reflectivity for X-rays.

For hard X-rays (>= 15 keV), the absorption, however, is low enough that it is possible to design supermirrors with 10 - 70% reflectivity in a band approximately equals 3 times the width of the total reflection regime. Supermirrors of W/Si and Ni/C have been successfully fabricated and characterized.

The measured X-ray reflectivities are well accounted for by the standard dynamical theories of multilayer reflection. Hard X-ray applications that could benefit from X-ray supermirror coatings include focusing and imaging instrumentation for astrophysics, and collimating and focusing device for synchrotron radiation.