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Towards Development of Microcalorimeter Arrays of Mo/Au Transition-Edge Sensors with Bismuth AbsorbersWe report on our progress towards the development of arrays of X-ray microcalorimeters as candidates for the high resolution x-ray spectrometer on the Constellation-X mission. The microcalorimeter arrays (30 x 30) with appropriate pixel sizes (0.25 mm. x 0.25 mm) and high packing fractions (greater than 96%) are being developed. Each individual pixel has a 10 micron thick Bi X-ray absorber that is shaped like a mushroom to increase the packing fraction, and a Mo/Au proximity effect superconducting transition edge sensor (TES). These are deposited on a 0.25 or 0.5 micron thick silicon nitride membrane with slits to provide a controllable weak thermal link to the sink temperature. Studies are underway to model, test and optimize the TES pixel uniformity, critical current, heat capacity and the membrane thermal conductance in the array structure. Fabrication issues and procedures, and results of our efforts based on these optimizations will be provided.
Document ID
20000040116
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Tralshawala, Nilesh
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Brekosky, Regis
(Swales Aerospace Beltsville, MD United States)
Figueroa-Feliciano, Enectali
(Stanford Univ. Stanford, CA United States)
Li, Mary
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Stahle, Carl
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Stahle, Caroline
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
February 9, 2000
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Meeting Information
Meeting: ASC-2000
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Country: United States
Start Date: September 17, 2000
End Date: September 22, 2000
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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