Development of Transition-Edge Sensor X-ray Microcalorimeter Linear Array for Compton Scattering and Energy Dispersive Diffraction Imaging

• Main Authors: Patel, U, Divan, R, Gades, L, Guruswamy, T, Yan, D, Quaranta, O, Miceli, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 28-11-2019
• Subjects: Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1908.10239

We present a strip transition-edge sensor microcalorimeter linear array
detector developed for energy dispersive X-ray diffraction imaging and Compton
scattering applications. The prototype detector is an array of 20
transition-edge-sensors with absorbers in strip geometry arranged in a linear
array. We discuss the fabrication steps needed to develop this array including
Mo/Cu bilayer, Au electroplating, and proof-of-principle fabrication of long
strips of SiNx membranes. We demonstrate minimal unwanted effect of strip
geometry on X-ray pulse response, and show linear relationship of 1/pulse
height and pulse decay times with absorber length. For the absorber lengths
studied, preliminary measurements show energy resolutions of 40 eV to 180 eV
near 17 keV. Furthermore, we show that the heat flow to the cold bath is nearly
independent of the absorber area and depends on the SiNx membrane geometry.