High Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy Using Germanium Microcalorimeters

E. Silver; S. Labov; F. Goulding; N. Madden; D. Landis; J. Beeman; T. Pfafman; L. Melkonian; I. Millett; Y. Wai

doi:10.1117/12.962600

27 November 1989 High Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy Using Germanium Microcalorimeters

E. Silver, S. Labov, F. Goulding, N. Madden, D. Landis, J. Beeman, T. Pfafman, L. Melkonian, I. Millett, Y. Wai

Proceedings Volume 1159, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy and Atomic Physics; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962600
Event: 33rd Annual Technical Symposium, 1989, San Diego, United States

Abstract

We are developing cryogenically-cooled microcalorimeters for high resolution x-ray spectroscopy. Using neutron transmutation-doped (NTD) germanium thermistors as the x-ray absorber, we have achieved an energy resolution of 70 eV at a temperature of 0.3 K. There is strong evidence for incomplete conversion of x-ray energy into thermal energy when the photon is absorbed in the bulk of the NTD germanium. We believe that the nonthermal energy component manifests as ionization, none of which is converted to thermal energy within the measurement time of the system. As in an ionization detector, the division between ionization and thermal energy is statistically uncertain and leads to a lower limit to the energy resolution measured using either the thermal or ionization signal. Complete conversion to thermal energy with no loss to ionization appears to occur when the x-ray is absorbed by the metallic contacts. This will be discussed in the context of our most recent 0.3 K experiments.

Citation Download Citation

E. Silver, S. Labov, F. Goulding, N. Madden, D. Landis, J. Beeman, T. Pfafman, L. Melkonian, I. Millett, and Y. Wai "High Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy Using Germanium Microcalorimeters", Proc. SPIE 1159, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy and Atomic Physics, (27 November 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962600

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