A Review of X-ray Microcalorimeters Based on Superconducting Transition Edge Sensors for Astrophysics and Particle Physics

Abstract

The state-of-the-art technology of X-ray microcalorimeters based on superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs), for applications in astrophysics and particle physics, is reviewed. We will show the advance in understanding the detector physics and describe the recent breakthroughs in the TES design that are opening the way towards the fabrication and the read-out of very large arrays of pixels with unprecedented energy resolution. The most challenging low temperature instruments for space- and ground-base experiments will be described.

Demonstration of MHz frequency domain multiplexing readout of 37 transition edge sensors for high-resolution x-ray imaging spectrometers

“…Since the detector power is defined by the application, we modified the detector resistance by changing the aspect ratio of the TESs. Despite the large normal resistance R N , we have shown that the internal thermal fluctuation noise remains small for these devices 39 . Moreover, a high aspect ratio TES minimizes the impact of the loss due to eddy currents.…”

Transition edge sensor based detector: from X-ray to $γ$-ray

“…Since the transition region is very narrow, the resistance of TES is extremely sensitive to the change of temperature. The temperature coefficient of resistance(α I ) of TES is much higher than that of traditional semiconductor thermometers, so it has been used in many cutting-edge scientific researches [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. For the sake of brevity, this article will mainly introduce the work in the field of X-ray and γ ray.…”

Electroplating Deposition of Bismuth Absorbers for X-ray Superconducting Transition Edge Sensors

“…TES has been widely used in the field of X-ray detection [ 1 , 2 ]. X-ray TES is a very sensitive thermometer based on the transition between the superconducting and normal state of a superconducting metal film due to the thermal transfer from the absorber, which absorbs the energy of incident X-ray photons [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The energy resolution (Δ E ) in the strong electro-thermal feedback is related to ~ C 1/2 , C is the heat capacity of superconducting thin films and the absorber [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”