Paper 13093-165
Paper 13093-165
Development of the microcalorimeter array for the Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit
17 June 2024 • 16:55 - 17:10 Japan Standard Time | Room G414/415, North - 4F
Abstract
The X-ray integral field unit (X-IFU) will be a microcalorimeter instrument on ESA’s Athena observatory. The X-IFU array will consist of ~ 1.5k transition edge sensors (TESs) on a 317-micron pitch, optimized for the energy range of 0.2-12 keV. The instrument provides a spectral resolution of 3 eV at energies of up to 7 keV and is read out using time division multiplexing (TDM). We report on the status and plan for continued maturation of the X-IFU array. This includes efforts to optimize the pixels for reduced magnetic field sensitivity and reduced dynamic range usage (needed to optimally couple them to the readout with lowest possible noise). We describe the design and characterization of the first full scale microcalorimeter arrays that have flight-like electrical and mechanical interfaces. These arrays are being developed for a focal-plane assembly demonstration model in Europe and are a precursor to the X-IFU engineering model.
Presenter
NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States)
Stephen J. Smith is a research astrophysicist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He received his MPhys degree in physics with space science and technology in 2002 and his PhD in physics in 2006, both from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. He is a co-author of ~150 published papers. His primary research interests are in the development of cryogenic detectors and systems for x-ray astronomy applications.