The XOC X-ray Beamline: Probing Colder, Quieter, and Softer

TL;DR

The paper describes the development of a 2.5-meter X-ray beamline at Stanford for characterizing soft X-ray detectors, supporting future space telescope missions with improved detector response.

Contribution

It introduces a new beamline system capable of producing monoenergetic X-rays in the 0.3-10 keV range for detector testing at low temperatures.

Findings

Successful production of monoenergetic X-ray lines in 0.3-10 keV range

Achieved detector cooling down to 173 K

Beamline design and simulation validated performance

Abstract

Future strategic X-ray satellite telescopes, such as the probe-class Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS), will require excellent soft energy response in their imaging detectors to enable maximum discovery potential. In order to characterize Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) and Single Electron Sensitive Read Output (SiSeRO) detectors in the soft X-ray region, the X-ray Astronomy and Observational Cosmology (XOC) group at Stanford has developed, assembled, and commissioned a 2.5-meter-long X-ray beamline test system. The beamline is designed to efficiently produce monoenergetic X-ray fluorescence lines in the 0.3-10 keV energy range and achieve detector temperatures as low as 173 K. We present design and simulation details of the beamline, and discuss the vacuum, cooling, and X-ray fluorescence performance achieved. As a workhorse for future detector characterization at Stanford, the XOC beamline will support detector development for a broad range of X-ray astronomy instruments.