Microcalorimeters for broad band high resolution X-ray spectral analysis

Abstract

A large area microcalorimeter with 95% quantum efficiency at 6 keV has been developed. When fully illuminated, it produces X-ray spectra between 0.5 and 7 keV with an energy resolution of 23 eV. On a smaller, but similar detector, we measure 18 eV. The resolution is obtained at input count rates of 10–50 Hz in real-time with analog pulse processing and thermal pile-up rejection. The detector is incorporated into a compact and portable cryogenic refrigerator system that is ready for use as a tool for analytical spectroscopy.