The Experimental Probe of Inflationary Cosmology - Intermediate Mission (EPIC-IM) is a concept for the NASA
Einstein Inflation Probe satellite. EPIC-IM is designed to characterize the polarization properties of the Cosmic
Microwave Background to search for the B-mode polarization signal characteristic of gravitational waves generated
during the epoch of Inflation in the early universe. EPIC-IM employs a large focal plane with 11,000 detectors operating
in 9 wavelength bands to provide 30 times higher sensitivity than the currently operating Planck satellite. The optical
design is based on a wide-field 1.4 m crossed-Dragone telescope, an aperture that allows not only comprehensive
measurements of Inflationary B-mode polarization, but also measurements of the E-mode and lensing polarization
signals to cosmological limits, as well as all-sky maps of Galactic polarization with unmatched sensitivity and angular
resolution. The optics are critical to measuring these extremely faint polarization signals, and any design must meet
demanding requirements on systematic error control. We describe the EPIC-IM crossed Dragone optical design, its
polarization properties, and far-sidelobe response.
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