High-resolution gamma-ray spectrometers using bulk absorbers coupled to Mo/Cu multilayer superconducting transition-edge sensors

Daniel T. Chow; Alex Loshak; Marcel L. van den Berg; Matthias A. Frank; Troy W. Barbee Jr.; Simon E. Labov

doi:10.1117/12.407605

21 November 2000 High-resolution gamma-ray spectrometers using bulk absorbers coupled to Mo/Cu multilayer superconducting transition-edge sensors

Daniel T. Chow, Alex Loshak, Marcel L. van den Berg, Matthias A. Frank, Troy W. Barbee Jr., Simon E. Labov

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4141, Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics II; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.407605
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

In x-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy, it is desirable to have detectors with high energy resolution and high absorption efficiency. At LLNL, we have developed superconducting tunnel junction-based single photon x-ray detectors with thin film absorbers that have achieved these goals for photon energies up to 1 keV. However, for energies above 1 keV, the absorption efficiency of these thin-film detectors decreases drastically. We are developing the use of high-purity superconducting bulk materials as microcalorimeter absorbers for high-energy x-rays and gamma rays. The increase in absorber temperature due to incident photons is sensed by a superconducting transition- edge sensor (TES) composed of a Mo/Cu multilayer thin film. Films of Mo and Cu are mutually insoluble and therefore very stable and can be annealed. The multilayer structure allows scaling in thickness to optimize heat capacity and normal state resistance. We measured an energy resolution of 70 eV for 60 keV incident gamma-rays with a 1 X 1 X 0.25 mm³ Sn absorber. We present x-ray and gamma-ray results from this detector design with an Sn absorber. We also propose the use of an active negative feedback voltage bias to improve the performance of our detector and show preliminary results.

Citation Download Citation

Daniel T. Chow, Alex Loshak, Marcel L. van den Berg, Matthias A. Frank, Troy W. Barbee Jr., and Simon E. Labov "High-resolution gamma-ray spectrometers using bulk absorbers coupled to Mo/Cu multilayer superconducting transition-edge sensors", Proc. SPIE 4141, Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics II, (21 November 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.407605

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