Gamma-ray spectrometers using superconducting transition edge sensors with external active feedback bias

Author

Chow, D.T. ; van den Berg, M.L. ; Loshak, A. ; Frank, M. ; Barbee, T.W., Jr. ; Labov, S.E.

Author_Institution

Lawrence Livermore Nat. Lab., CA, USA

Volume

11

Issue

1

fYear

2001

fDate

3/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

743

Lastpage

746

Abstract

We are developing X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometers with high absorption efficiency and high energy-resolution for X-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy. They are microcalorimeters consisting of a bulk Sn absorber coupled to a Mo/Cu multilayer superconducting transition edge sensor (TES). We have operated these microcalorimeters with an external active feedback bias to linearize the detector response, improve the count rate performance, and extend the detection energy range. We measured an energy resolution of 120 eV FWHM for 60 keV incident gamma-rays with no degradation of resolution from active bias. We present X-ray and gamma-ray results and operation of this detector design in both bias modes

Keywords

X-ray detection; gamma-ray detection; particle calorimetry; superconducting particle detectors; 120 keV; 60 keV; Mo/Cu multilayer superconducting transition edge sensor; bulk Sn absorber; count rate performance; detection energy range; external active feedback bias; gamma-ray spectrometers; high absorption efficiency; high energy-resolution; microcalorimeters; superconducting transition edge sensors; Degradation; Detectors; Electromagnetic wave absorption; Energy measurement; Energy resolution; Feedback; Gamma ray detection; Nonhomogeneous media; Spectroscopy; Tin;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/77.919452

Filename

919452