06.10.22
Canatu and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a contract to develop an optical blocking filter using a unique carbon nanotube (CNT)-based support structure and investigate its applicability for the ATHENA (Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics) telescope.
The optical blocking filter is designed to let x-rays pass through whilst blocking out other wavelengths, enabling precise imaging of celestial objects. Such filters are extremely fragile, so they are typically provided with a metal mesh support. During the 9-month project,
Canatu will develop a fully CNT-based x-ray filter with a totally new CNT support structure providing higher transmittance at x-ray compared to metal mesh. In this project, Canatu collaborates with Ametek Finland and the University of Palermo (UNIPA). Canatu is a leader in advanced CNT focused on highly engineered solutions.
This collaboration builds upon Canatu and ESA’s earlier project on optical filter development, signifying the ESA’s trust in Canatu’s technology and ability to create transformative solutions for the most demanding applications.
“We look forward to our continued collaboration with ESA on this exciting new project,” said Ilkka Varjos, CTO of Canatu. Our unique expertise is to adapt Canatu CNT network structures for different contexts and uses. A fully CNT-based optical filter is a prime example of an application where advanced Canatu CNT can have a transformative impact. This project gives our platform technology yet another opportunity to demonstrate its versatility, reliability, and feasibility in x-ray astronomy and EUV alike.”
The ATHENA mission centers around studying the Hot and Energetic processes in the universe. Its overarching purpose is to answer to key questions in astrophysics about how galactic clusters and galaxies are formed, as well as how black holes grow and shape their surroundings. The ATHENA launch is planned for 2033.
The optical blocking filter is designed to let x-rays pass through whilst blocking out other wavelengths, enabling precise imaging of celestial objects. Such filters are extremely fragile, so they are typically provided with a metal mesh support. During the 9-month project,
Canatu will develop a fully CNT-based x-ray filter with a totally new CNT support structure providing higher transmittance at x-ray compared to metal mesh. In this project, Canatu collaborates with Ametek Finland and the University of Palermo (UNIPA). Canatu is a leader in advanced CNT focused on highly engineered solutions.
This collaboration builds upon Canatu and ESA’s earlier project on optical filter development, signifying the ESA’s trust in Canatu’s technology and ability to create transformative solutions for the most demanding applications.
“We look forward to our continued collaboration with ESA on this exciting new project,” said Ilkka Varjos, CTO of Canatu. Our unique expertise is to adapt Canatu CNT network structures for different contexts and uses. A fully CNT-based optical filter is a prime example of an application where advanced Canatu CNT can have a transformative impact. This project gives our platform technology yet another opportunity to demonstrate its versatility, reliability, and feasibility in x-ray astronomy and EUV alike.”
The ATHENA mission centers around studying the Hot and Energetic processes in the universe. Its overarching purpose is to answer to key questions in astrophysics about how galactic clusters and galaxies are formed, as well as how black holes grow and shape their surroundings. The ATHENA launch is planned for 2033.