Sensitivity of transition-edge sensors to strong DC electric fields

K. M. Patel; D. J. Goldie; S. Withington; C. N. Thomas

doi:10.1117/12.2666646

22 May 2023 Sensitivity of transition-edge sensors to strong DC electric fields

K. M. Patel, D. J. Goldie, S. Withington, C. N. Thomas

Proceedings Volume 12327, SPIE Future Sensing Technologies 2023; 123270B (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2666646
Event: SPIE Future Sensing Technologies, 2023, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

Transition-edge sensors (TESs) have found a wide range of applications in both space- and land-based astronomical photon measurement and are being used in the search for dark matter and neutrino mass measurements. A fundamental aspect of TES physics that has not been investigated is the sensitivity of TESs to strong DC electric fields (10 kVm−1 and above). Understanding the resilience of TESs to DC electric fields is essential when considering their use as charged particle spectrometers, a field in which TESs could have an enormous impact. Techniques such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy produce a high number of low-energy electrons that are not of interest and can be screened from the detector using electrostatic deflection. The use of strong electric fields could also provide a mass-efficient route to prevent secondary electron measurements arising from cosmic radiation in space-based TES applications. Integrating electron optics into the TES membrane provides an elegant and compact means to control the interaction between charged particles and the sensor, whether by screening unwanted particles or enhancing the particle absorption efficiency but implementing such techniques requires understanding the sensitivity of the TES to the resulting electric fields. In this work, we applied a uniform DC electric field across a Mo/Au TES using a parallel pair of flat electrodes positioned above and below the TES. The electric field in the vicinity of the TES was enhanced by the presence of silicon backing plate directly beneath the TES. Using this arrangement, we were able to apply of electric fields up to 90 kVm−1 across the TES. We observed no electric field sensitivity at any field strength demonstrating the capability to use TESs in environments of strong electric fields.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

K. M. Patel, D. J. Goldie, S. Withington, and C. N. Thomas "Sensitivity of transition-edge sensors to strong DC electric fields", Proc. SPIE 12327, SPIE Future Sensing Technologies 2023, 123270B (22 May 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2666646

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available