14 - pixel , multiplexed array of gamma-ray microcalorimeters with 47eV energy resolution at 103keV

Abstract

The authors present a prototype for a high-energy-resolution, high-count-rate, gamma-ray spectrometer intended for nuclear forensics and international nuclear safeguards. The prototype spectrometer is an array of 14 transition-edge-sensor microcalorimeters with an average energy resolution of $47\mathrm{eV}$ (full width at half maximum) at $103\mathrm{keV}$ . The resolution of the best pixel is $25\mathrm{eV}$ . A cryogenic, time-division multiplexer reads out the array. Several important topics related to microcalorimeter arrays are discussed, including cross-talk, the uniformity of detector bias conditions, fabrication of the arrays, and the multiplexed readout. The measurements and calculations demonstrate that a kilopixel array of high-resolution microcalorimeters is feasible.