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High Spectral Resolution, High Cadence, Imaging X-Ray Microcalorimeters for Solar PhysicsHigh spectral resolution, high cadence, imaging x-ray spectroscopy has the potential to revolutionize the study of the solar corona. To that end we have been developing transition-edge-sensor (TES) based x-ray micro calorimeter arrays for future solar physics missions where imaging and high energy resolution spectroscopy will enable previously impossible studies of the dynamics and energetics of the solar corona. The characteristics of these x-ray microcalorimeters are significantly different from conventional micro calorimeters developed for astrophysics because they need to accommodate much higher count rates (300-1000 cps) while maintaining high energy resolution of less than 4 eV FWHM in the X-ray energy band of 0.2-10 keV. The other main difference is a smaller pixel size (less than 75 x 75 square microns) than is typical for x-ray micro calorimeters in order to provide angular resolution less than 1 arcsecond. We have achieved at energy resolution of 2.15 eV at 6 keV in a pixel with a 12 x 12 square micron TES sensor and 34 x 34 x 9.1 micron gold absorber, and a resolution of 2.30 eV at 6 keV in a pixel with a 35 x 35 micron TES and a 57 x 57 x 9.1 micron gold absorber. This performance has been achieved in pixels that are fabricated directly onto solid substrates, ie. they are not supported by silicon nitride membranes. We present the results from these detectors, the expected performance at high count-rates, and prospects for the use of this technology for future Solar missions.
Document ID
20110022573
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Bandler, Simon R.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Bailey, Catherine N.
(Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. TN, United States)
Bookbinder, Jay A.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
DeLuca, Edward E.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Chervenak, Jay A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Eckart, Megan E.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Finkbeiner, Fred M.
(Wyle Information Systems, LLC McLean, VA, United States)
Kelley, Daniel P.
(MEI Technologies, Inc. Seabrook, MD, United States)
Kelley, Richard L.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kilbourne, Caroline A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Porter, Frederick S.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Sadleir, Jack E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Smith, Stephen J.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Smith, Randall K.
(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
June 28, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: Proceedings of SPIE
Volume: 7732 773238
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.5080.2011
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX08AE42G
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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