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Theory and Development of Position-Sensitive Quantum CalorimetersQuantum calorimeters are being developed as imaging spectrometers for future X-ray astrophysics observatories. Much of the science to be done by these instruments could benefit greatly from larger focal-plane coverage of the detector (without increasing pixel size). An order of magnitude more area will greatly increase the science throughput of these future instruments. One of the main deterrents to achieving this goal is the complexity of the readout schemes involved. We have devised a way to increase the number of pixels from the current baseline designs by an order of magnitude without increasing the number of channels required for readout. The instrument is a high energy resolution, distributed-readout imaging spectrometer called a Position-Sensitive Transition-Edge Sensor (POST). A POST is a quantum calorimeter consisting of two Transition-Edge Sensors (TESS) on the ends of a long absorber capable of one-dimensional imaging spectroscopy. Comparing rise time and energy information from the two TESS, the position of the event in the POST is determined. The energy of the event is inferred from the sum of the two pulses. We have developed a generalized theoretical formalism for distributed-readout calorimeters and apply it to our devices. We derive the noise theory and calculate the theoretical energy resolution of a POST. Our calculations show that a 7-pixel POST with 6 keV saturation energy can achieve 2.3 eV resolution, making this a competitive design for future quantum calorimeter instruments. For this thesis we fabricated 7- and 15-pixel POSTS using Mo/Au TESs and gold absorbers, and moved from concept drawings on scraps of napkins to a 32 eV energy resolution at 1.5 keV, 7-pixel POST calorimeter.
Document ID
20020020982
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Thesis/Dissertation
Authors
Figueroa-Feliciano, Enectali (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
White, Nicholas E.
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 2001
Subject Category
Solid-State Physics
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.15:209994
Rept-2002-00289-0
NASA/TM-2001-209994
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 662-00-00
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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