Low-temperature detectors in X-ray astronomy

The most compelling nature of X-ray astronomy is its richness and scale. Almost every observable object in the sky either naturally emits X-ray radiation or can be observed through X-ray absorption. Current X-ray observatories such as Chandra and XMM-Newton have considerably advanced our understanding of many of these systems by using imaging X-ray cameras and dispersed X-ray spectrometers. However, it is the combination of these two techniques to provide a true broadband, high spectral-resolution, imaging spectrometer that will drive the next revolution in X-ray astronomy. This is where Low-temperature detectors (LTDs) can play a key role but also where the science will continuously challenge the technology. In this brief overview we will explore the constraints that both the science goals and the space environment place on the implementation of LTDs, how current missions such as XQC and Astro-E2 have met these challenges, and where future missions such as Constellation-X, XEUS, and NeXT will drive LTD instruments to a much larger scale. Finally, we will address scaling issues in current LTD detectors and where the LTD community needs to proceed to address both the science goals and expectations of the astrophysics community.