  Effective collecting area, angular resolution, field of view and energy
response are fundamental attributes of X-ray telescopes. The performance of
state-of-the-art telescopes is currently restricted by Wolter optics,
especially for hard X-rays. In this paper, we report the development of a new
approach - the Stacked Prism Lens, which is lightweight, modular and has the
potential for a significant improvement in effective area, while retaining high
angular resolution. The proposed optics is built by stacking discs embedded
with prismatic rings, created with photoresist by focused UV lithography. We
demonstrate the SPL approach using a prototype lens which was manufactured and
characterized at a synchrotron radiation facility. The design of a potential
satellite-borne X-ray telescope is outlined and the performance is compared to
contemporary missions.
