Cryogenic detection of particles with a SQUID-assisted thermocouple Au:Fe-Nb and silicon absorber

The feasibility of thermoelectric detection in cryogenic detectors was demonstrate at elevated temperature of 1 K with a 33 mm3 volume silicon absorber placed in electrical field. Au:Fe-Nb thermocouple was used as a thermometer, installed directly on the heat absorber. The resolution, provided by Au:Fe-Nb thermocouple with SQUID read-out was 2.10−7 K/Hz1/2, which is one order of magnitude less than expected, and was limited by a noise of SQUID electronics.