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The traditional method of applying a digital optimal filter to measure X-ray pulses from transition-edge sensor (TES) devices does not achieve the best energy resolution when the signals have a highly non-linear response to energy, or the noise is non-stationary during the pulse. We present an implementation of a method to analyze X-ray data from TESs, which is based upon principal component analysis (PCA). Our method separates the X-ray signal pulse into orthogonal components that have the largest variance. We typically recover pulse height, arrival time, differences in pulse shape, and the variation of pulse height with detector temperature. These components can then be combined to form a representation of pulse energy. An added value of this method is that by reporting information on more descriptive parameters (as opposed to a single number representing energy), we generate a much more complete picture of the pulse received. Here we report on progress in developing this technique for future implementation on X-ray telescopes. We used an $$^{55}$$ Fe source to characterize Mo/Au TESs. On the same dataset, the PCA method recovers a spectral resolution that is better by a factor of two than achievable with digital optimal filters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For future X-ray observatories utilizing transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters, an anti-coincidence detector (anti-co) is required to discriminate X-ray ( $$\sim $$ 0.1-10 keV) signals from non-X-ray background events, such as ionizing particles. We have developed a prototype anti-co that utilizes TESs, which will be compatible with the TES focal-plane arrays planned for future X-ray observatories. This anti-co is based upon the cryogenic dark matter search II detector design. It is a silicon wafer covered with superconducting collection fins and TES microcalorimeters. Minimum ionizing particles deposit energy while passing through the silicon. The athermal phonons produced by these events are absorbed in the superconducting fins, breaking Cooper pairs. The resulting quasiparticles diffuse along the superconducting fin, producing a signal when they reach the TES. By determining a correlation between detections in the anti-co and the X-ray detector one can identify and flag these background events. We have fabricated and tested a single-channel prototype anti-co device on a 1.5 $$\times $$ 1.9 cm $$^2$$ chip. We have measured the signals in this device from photons of several energies between 1.5 and 60 keV, as well as laboratory background events, demonstrating a threshold $$\sim $$ 100 times lower than is needed to detect minimum ionizing particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed prototype arrays of metallic magnetic calorimeters for applications in X-ray astronomy. Each pixel consists of an all-gold X-ray absorber in good thermal contact to a gold-erbium paramagnetic thin film thermometer that is operated in the temperature range of 30-100 mK. The para-magnetic response is coupled to a SQUID amplifier. We have characterized pixels in an array and observed the expected temperature dependence of the magnetization and heat capacity. We have demonstrated a full width at half maximum energy resolution of 1.7 $$\pm $$ 0.1 eV at 6 keV and have also read out these devices using time-division multiplexing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing kilo-pixel arrays of small-pitch transition-edge sensors for high spectral-resolving, high count-rate applications in astrophysics and solar physics measurements. We have fabricated and tested pixels that are $$65\,\upmu $$ m in size on a silicon substrate with an X-ray flux of $${\sim }100$$ counts per second (cps) per pixel. The X-ray pulses were recorded and analyzed in various ways to obtain high throughput with good energy resolution. We have demonstrated 2.3 eV FWHM resolution with 99.6 % throughput for a 6-keV X-ray flux of 100 cps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of calorimetric spectra following atomic weak decays, beta ( β) and electron capture (EC), of nuclides having a very low Q-value, can provide an impressively high sensitivity to a non-vanishing neutrino mass. The achievable sensitivity in this kind of experiments is directly connected to the performance of the used detectors. In particular an energy resolution of a few eV and a pulse formation time well below 1 μs are required. Low temperature Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters (MMCs) for soft X-rays have already shown an energy resolution of 2.0 eV FWHM and a pulse rise-time of about 90 ns for fully micro-fabricated detectors. We present the use of MMCs for high precision measurements of calorimetric spectra following the β-decay of Re and the EC of Ho. We show results obtained with detectors optimized for Re and for Ho experiments respectively. While the detectors equipped with superconducting Re absorbers have not yet reached the aimed performance, a first detector prototype with a Au absorber having implanted Ho ions already shows excellent results. An energy resolution of 12 eV FWHM and a rise time of 90 ns were measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are developing kilopixel arrays of TES microcalorimeters to enable high-resolution x-ray imaging spectrometers for future x-ray observatories and laboratory astrophysics experiments. Our current array design was targeted as a prototype for the X-ray Microcalorimeter Spectrometer proposed for the International X-ray Observatory, which calls for a 40×40-pixel core array of 300 μm devices with 2.5 eV energy resolution (at 6 keV). Here we present device characterization of our 32×32 arrays, including x-ray spectral performance of individual pixels within the array. We present our results in light of the understanding that our Mo/Au TESs act as weak superconducting links, causing the TES critical current ( I) and transition shape to oscillate with applied magnetic field ( B). We show I( B) measurements and discuss the uniformity of these measurements across the array, as well as implications regarding the uniformity of device noise and response. In addition, we are working to reduce pixel-to-pixel electrical and thermal crosstalk; we present recent test results from an array that has microstrip wiring and an angle-evaporated copper backside heatsinking layer, which provides copper coverage on the four sidewalls of the silicon wells beneath each pixel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly-charged heavy ions like U provide unique conditions for the investigation of relativistic and quantum electrodynamical effects in strong electromagnetic fields. We present two X-ray detectors developed for high-resolution spectroscopy on highly-charged heavy ions. Both detectors consist of metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMCs) forming linear eight-pixel arrays. The first detector, maXs-20, is developed for the detection of X-rays up to 20 keV with an energy resolution below 3 eV. The second device, maXs-200, is designed for X-ray energies up to 200 keV with an energy resolution of 40 eV. The results of characterization measurements of single detectors of both arrays will be shown and discussed. In both cases, the performance of the detectors agrees well with their design values. Furthermore, we present a prototype MMC for soft X-rays with improved magnetic flux coupling. In first characterization measurements the energy resolution of this device was 2.0 eV (FWHM) for X-rays up to 6 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ideal X-ray camera for astrophysics would have more than a million pixels and provide an energy resolution of better than 1 eV FWHM for energies up to 10 keV. We have microfabricated and characterized thin-film magnetic penetration thermometers (MPTs) that show great promise towards meeting these capabilities. MPTs operate in similar fashion to metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMCs), except that a superconducting sensor takes the place of a paramagnetic sensor and it is the temperature dependence of the superconductor's diamagnetic response that provides the temperature sensitivity. We present a description of the design and performance of our prototype thin-film MPTs with MoAu bilayer sensors, which have demonstrated an energy resolution of ∼2 eV FWHM at 1.5 keV and 4.3 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic calorimeters have been under development for over 20 years targeting a wide variety of different applications that require very high resolution spectroscopy. They have a number of properties that distinguish them from other low temperature detectors. In this paper we review these properties and emphasize the types of application to which they are most suited. We will describe what has been learned about the best materials, geometries, and read-out amplifiers and our understanding of the measured performance and theoretical limits. While most magnetic calorimeter research has concentrated on the use of paramagnets to provide the temperature sensitivity, recently magnetically coupled microcalorimeters have been in development that utilize the diamagnetic response of superconductors. We will contrast some of the properties of the two different magnetic sensor types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]