Developing large-area TES microcalorimeters for HUBS

The Hot Universe Baryon Surveyor (HUBS) is a proposed space-based X-ray telescope for detecting X-ray emissions from the hot gas content in our universe. It employs X-ray microcalorimeters based on the MoCu transition-edge sensor (TES) technology, aiming at achieving an energy resolution of better than 2 eV over the 0.1-2 keV range with a 60 x 60 array. The design of the payload calls for microcalorimeters with a large absorber (of area 1 mm2). This work focuses on the design and fabrication of microcalorimeters based on MoCu TES and AuBi absorbers. Different designs for TES arrays with and without various size and pattern absorbers will be present here, as well as special considerations on increasing mechanical strength and lowering thermal conductivity.