Lobster Eye (LE) X-Ray Optics Demonstrator for CubeSats Applications

We present a Lobster Eye (LE) X-ray optics module utilizing Multi-Foil Optics (MFO) technology. Designed for CubeSat-class missions, the system is based on the Schmidt arrangement and consists of two orthogonally oriented submodules composed of smooth, gold-coated glass foils. This configuration enables wide-field X-ray imaging with a short focal length of 400 mm and a characteristic cross-shaped focal spot. Key optical parameters, including focal length, full width at half maximum (FWHM), angular resolution, field of view (FOV), and effective area, have been experimentally verified in a vacuum setup using various X-ray sources and detectors. The Lobster Eye (LE) X-ray optics is ready for integration into a CubeSat demonstrator.