Design of transition edge sensor microcalorimeters for optimal performance

We have developed a model for transition edge sensors to optimize performance under a variety of different conditions. There are three design trade-offs when engineering a microcalorimeter for a particular application: energy resolution, energy range and maximum count rate. All three are interdependent and are determined by various design parameters such as the detector heat capacity, the sharpness of the transition, and the thermal conductance of the detector to the frame. Our model includes all known sources of intrinsic noise in our calorimeters including the observed broad band excess noise. We will present the results of this model, and its predictions for optimally designed microcalorimeters.