TES microcalorimeters in the European context

1. TES microcalorimeters in the European context Flavio Gatti University and INFN, Genoa Flavio Gatti WHIM and Mission Opportunities

2. TES m-calorimeters context • TES (Transition Edge Sensor) is without any doubt the reference technology for very high resolution EDXS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) • TES m-calorimeters are presently the LTD (Low Temperature Detectors) with the most outstanding spectral performance (2.3 eV FWHM at 6KeV- NIST 2005, USA) • TES allow a count rate at 103 cps and better • Q.E. aproches 80-100%, depending on the spectral range NIST, 2005 – single pixel best result

3. SQUID output

4. TES m-calorimeters context • TES technology takes advantage of the widely • TES are made by using extensively micro-fabrication techniques (surface or bulk micromachining) and planar “all metal” thin film techniques, widely used in MEMS and Microelectronis GFSC – Surf. Micr. SRON

5. SRON PIXEL

6. TES m-calorimeters context • TES allow imaging • TES m-calorimeters can be integrated in a close-packed array with high filling factor for imaging • US (NIST, GSFC-NASA), EU(SRON) have made small arrays from 3x3 to 5x5 • 32x32 array with read-out fabricated for the SCUBA-2 exp.

7. TES m-calorimeters context • TES read-out is made by SQUID preamplifier • SQUID technology is well established but fast Multiplexed read out is a peculiar development needed for these application

8. TDM FDM

9. TES m-calorimeters context • TES micro-calorimeter works below 0.1 K • Development of dedicated of fridge assembly for space application is mandatory • Huge steps forward in the 0.1 K cooling techniques has been made in the last few years: ADR based fridge

10. The European Context • Main question: “is it possible to take in charge the TES detector technology (as a whole) and demonstrate the capability to manage them in order to provide an instrument for a EU X-ray Mission?” • In EU there is deep expertise in many field of the TES technology, but fractioned in several countries and institution. • These activities are mostly under-funded and not coordinated • Without any doubt excellent results in technological achievements ( i.e. array technology ) and spectral performance, 3 eV FWHM at 6KeV have been made by the SRON group.

11. EURECA consortium • An EURopEan MicroCalorimeter Array • Brings together Europe’s foremost research and technology laboratories working on cryogenic detectors for X-ray instrumentation in a joint effort to develop an Imaging X-ray Microcalorimeter • the baseline design already lead to an instrument, currently non-existent in Europe and, which will be fully competitive with similar developments in US and Japan • research on detectors and read-out still continues, improved detector designs, detector types, electronics, and read-out concepts are developed. The baseline design of the Imaging X-ray ex.: tech. break-through in oder to achieve 1 eV

12. The main goal is: • to develop and integrate cryogenic imaging X-ray detectors and read-out electronics in an appropriate cooler by the 2007. • Achieve a state-of-the-art performance of a cryogenic microcalorimeter array and its read-out. No such instrument exists within Europe • The principal motivation: • for this activity is that futur X-ray astrophysical mission will most likely employ imaging X-ray microcalorimeters; The missions are either an European effort or will be based on a collaboration between Europe, USA and/or Japan (ESTREMO,DIOS,NEW…). • Outside astrophysics: • possible niche-applications may exist in material sciences and fusion plasma diagnostics; non-astrophysical users could be a big community!

13. The EURECA instruments

14. EURECA performance guideline for a XEUS-like mission

15. EURECA CONSORTIUM • Mullard Space Science Laboratory, and X-ray Astronomy Group Univ. Leicester : Cryogenics, Signal analisys • VTT, Observatory/University of Helsinki: SQUID readout and FDM • Kirchhoff Institut für Physik, Uni. Heidelberg: MMC as future opportunity • JAXA, Metropolitan Univ, Seiko II: an alternative readout electronics • Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Barcelona, Instituto de Física de Cantabria, Instituto de Microelectrónica de Madrid, Instituto de Nanotecnología de Aragón, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragón: electronic integrated components and films

16. ITALIAN CONTEXT • INAF (Rome), INFN (Genua), Alenia Spazio (Milano) participate to the consortium • In the EURECA the Italian Groups are committed to develop and study TES development IrAu (INFN) and Superconducting absorber (INFN), perform test and study on final prototype (INAF), cold FLL-electronics (Alacatel-Alenia Spazio) • INFN has a long history (20 years) in LTD (in particular Genoa devoted the last 10 years in TES developments) and Rome INAF group has an outstanding position in spaced base HEA.

17. The Italian Group • The group is collaborating in order to speed up the TES development for a flight instrument. • However a 5.9 eV resolution has been already achieved • The Group is working on new detector design aiming to demonstrate the 2-3 eV resolution in a short time.

18. PRELIMINARY