Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
May 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009spd....40.1801d&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, SPD meeting #40, #18.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.844
Physics
Optics
Scientific paper
Transition Edge Sensor (TES) microcalorimeters have produced excellent time and energy resolution as pixelated arrays of single-photon X-ray detectors. They have produced better than 2 eV energy resolution at 6 keV with photon arrival times recorded to < 10 ns. Because of thermal limitations, X-ray TES pixels are typically at least 100 microns on a side, and often much larger. This pixel size is well-matched to the large (20 m) focal length X-ray optics required for the low photon flux observations typical of X-ray astronomy missions such as, e.g., the International X-ray Observatory.
Solar physics missions, not lacking for photons, generally employ small ( 2 m) focal length mirrors for their X-ray observations, to conserve weight and expense. Attempting to use standard sized TES detectors on such missions would result in 10 arcsecond or worse angular resolution. Given the size of the features most observers are interested in studying, this is a rather large drawback for a TES-based mission to overcome.
Recent work at LMSAL, in collaboration with NIST, Stanford University and Santa Clara University, has pursued two complementary paths to solving this problem. One involves the production of very narrow position sensitive strip absorbers with TES readout. The other is the use of a novel TES material allowing much higher heat capacity, and thus smaller pixel size. Both techniques can allow for pixel sizes of 10-20 microns, which would allow 1-2 arcsec angular resolution. Arrays of these pixels would allow images of solar features with simultaneously high resolution in energy, time and angle. Results and future plans for these projects will be discussed.
Cherry Michael
Deiker Steven
Hilton Gene
Irwin Kent
Rausch Adam
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