ATHENA X-IFU Demonstration Model: First joint operation of the main TES Array and its Cryogenic AntiCoincidence Detector (CryoAC)

Abstract

The X-IFU is the cryogenic spectrometer onboard the future ATHENA X-ray observatory. It is based on a large array of TES microcalorimeters, which works in combination with a Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC). This is necessary to reduce the particle background level thus enabling part of the mission science goals. Here we present the first joint test of X-IFU TES array and CryoAC Demonstration Models, performed in a FDM setup. We show that it is possible to operate properly both detectors, and we provide a preliminary demonstration of the anti-coincidence capability of the system achieved by the simultaneous detection of cosmic muons.

arXiv commentAccepted for publication in the Journal of Low Temperature Physics for LTD-19 special issue

References in corpus (4)

• The Athena space X-ray Observatory and the astrophysics of hot plasma
• A Review of X-ray Microcalorimeters Based on Superconducting Transition Edge Sensors for Astrophysics and Particle Physics
• Review of the particle background of the Athena X-IFU instrument
• The Demonstration Model of the ATHENA X-IFU Cryogenic AntiCoincidence Detector

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Transition Edge Sensors: Physics and Applications
• The TES-based Cryogenic AntiCoincidence Detector (CryoAC) of ATHENA X-IFU: a large area silicon microcalorimeter for background particles detection
• The Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit: a consolidated design for the system requirement review of the preliminary definition phase
• The end-to-end simulator of the ATHENA X-IFU Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC)