Background rates of x-ray transition-edge sensor micro-calorimeters under a frequency domain multiplexing readout for solar axion-like particles’ detection

We report on the x-ray background rate measured with transition-edge sensors (TES) micro-calorimeters under frequency-domain multiplexing (FDM) readout as a possible technology for future experiments aiming at a direct detection of axion-like particles. Future axion helioscopes will make use of large magnets to convert axions into photons in...

Susceptibility Study of TES Micro‑calorimeters for X‑ray Spectroscopy Under FDM Readout

We present a characterization of the sensitivity of TES X-ray micro-calorimeters to environmental conditions under frequency-domain multiplexing (FDM) readout. In the FDM scheme, each TES in a readout chain is in series with a LC band-pass filter and AC biased with an independent carrier at MHz range. Using TES arrays, cold readout circuitry and...

Performance of the SRON Ti/Autransition edge sensor x-ray calorimeters

In the early 2030s, ESAs new X-ray observatory, Athena, is scheduled to be launched. It will carry two main<br/>instruments, one of which is the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU), an X-ray imaging spectrometer, which will consist of an array of several thousand transition-edge sensors (TESs) with a proposed energy resolution of 2.5 eV for photon...

Small Size Transition-Edge Sensors for Future X-Ray Applications

Large arrays of transition edge sensors (TESs) are the baseline for a number of future space observatories. For instance, the X-ray integral field unit (X-IFU) instrument on board the ATHENA space telescope will consist of ∼ 3000 TESs with high energy resolution (2eV at X-ray energies up to 7 keV). In this contribution we report on the...

Lateral Inverse Proximity Effect in Ti/Au Transition Edge Sensors

We report measured T_c of superconducting Ti/Au bilayer strips with a width W varying from 5 to 50 µm. The strips were fabricated based on a Ti/Au bilayer that consists of a 41-nm-thick Ti layer to which a 280-nm-thick Au layer was added. We find that the T_c drops as W decreases and the declining trend almost perfectly...

Mitigation of the Magnetic Field Susceptibility of Transition-Edge Sensors Using a Superconducting Groundplane

Transition-edge-sensor (TES) microcalorimeters and bolometers are used for a variety of applications.The sensors are based on the steep temperature-dependent resistance of the normal-to-superconducting transition, and are thus intrinsically sensitive to magnetic fields. Conventionally the detectors are shielded from stray magnetic fields using...

Impact of the Absorber-Coupling Design for Transition-Edge-Sensor X-Ray Calorimeters

Transition-edge sensors (TESs) are the selected technology for future spaceborne x-ray observatories, such as Athena, Lynx, and HUBS. These missions demand thousands of pixels to be operated simultaneously with high energy-resolving power. To reach these demanding requirements, every aspect of the TES design has to be optimized. Here we...