Testing optics for the AXIS mission at the PANTER x-ray test facility

The Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite, or AXIS has been selected as one of the NASA Astrophysics Probe competition finalists to perform a phase A study. The AXIS X-ray observatory will carry out a wide range of astrophysics studies at X-ray wavelengths with a large field of view (Ø 24 arcmin) and high spatial resolution (1.5 arcsec on-axis and 1.6 arcsec over the field of view) with a large collecting area (4200 cm2 and 830 cm2 at 1.0 keV and 6.0 keV respectively on axis). The Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, as part of the AXIS Team, will support the development of X-ray optics led by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. During the Phase A study, we will conduct X-ray tests on breadboard optics and the first flight-like mirror modules. These tests will be performed to monitor the performance of half energy width of the image point spread function (PSF) and the effective area of the optics as they are delivered, pass vibration tests and thermal tests in order to improve their test readiness level. The results of these tests will be presented in this paper.