Optimum shape of a Kirkpatrick-Baez X-ray reflector supported at discrete points for on-axis performance

A method is proposed for optimizing the on-axis resolution of a Kirkpatrick-Baez reflecting element. The proposed procedure provides a way to determine the location of each of the 11,200 support points (175 different points plus repeats) by using a computer-assisted structural-optical software package. This automated procedure will make it possible to determine the optical characteristics of an entire telescope module consisting of seventy mirrors.