Development of TES-based detectors array for the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) on the future x-ray observatory ATHENA

TL;DR

This paper reports on the development and testing of TES-based microcalorimeter arrays designed for the X-ray Integral Field Unit on the ATHENA observatory, focusing on optimizing performance and multiplexing capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces new TES detector designs with optimized contact geometries and wiring topologies for improved performance in X-ray astronomy.

Findings

Successful fabrication of TES detectors with various contact geometries.

Performance characterization of an 18-channel frequency domain multiplexer.

Optimized detector design for future X-ray observatory applications.

Abstract

We are developing transition-edge sensor (TES)-based microcalorimeters for the X-ray Integral Field Unit (XIFU) of the future European X-Ray Observatory Athena. The microcalorimeters are based on TiAu TESs coupled to 250{\mu}m squared, AuBi absorbers. We designed and fabricated devices with different contact geometries between the absorber and the TES to optimise the detector performance and with different wiring topology to mitigate the self-magnetic field. The design is tailored to optimise the performance under Frequency Domain Multiplexing. In this paper we review the main design feature of the pixels array and we report on the performance of the 18 channels, 2-5MHz frequency domain multiplexer that will be used to characterised the detector array.