Transition-Edge Sensor Characteristics in a Modified Bias Circuit for Multiplexed Readout

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 36, pp. 1–7

Abstract

The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) on the NewAthena X-ray telescope will use a 1,504-pixel array of transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters, read out via time division multiplexing (TDM). To allow testing of multiplexer chips before TES integration, each unit cell includes a “TES-bypass” resistor that substitutes for a TES during characterization. After integration, this resistor remains as a high-resistance shunt: minimal for DC operation but can influence the frequency response due to its placement with the Nyquist inductor. We modeled the modified bias circuit, derived the small-signal response, and evaluated noise contributions, including Johnson noise from the bypass resistor. We analyzed the effects on pulse height, slew-rate, and energy resolution. Simulations were compared with measurements from prototype X-IFU microcalorimeters. Our results indicate that as long as the resistor value exceeds the TES dynamic resistance, performance is largely unaffected.

Authors 24

1. S. J. Smith

   Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

   Affiliation as printed

   National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

2. Paul van der Hulst Aachen SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Nicholas A. Wakeham

   Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

   Affiliation as printed

   National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

4. Edoardo Cucchetti

   Centre National d'Études Spatiales

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse, France

5. William Bertrand Doriese

   National Institute of Standards and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA

6. Malcolm Durkin

   National Institute of Standards and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA

7. Christian Kirsch

   Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

   Affiliation as printed

   Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Dr. Karl Remeis-Observatory & ECAP, Bamberg, Germany

8. Joel N. Ullom

   National Institute of Standards and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA

9. J. S. Adams

   Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

   Affiliation as printed

   National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

10. S. R. Bandler

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

11. James A. Chervenak

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

12. Tannaz Farrahi

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

13. Fred Michael Finkbeiner

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

14. Joshua D. Fuhrman

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

15. Samuel V. Hull

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

16. Richard L. Kelley

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

17. Caroline Anne Kilbourne

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

18. H. Muramatsu

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

19. Frederick Scott Porter

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

20. Kazuhiro Sakai

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

21. Ambarish C. Venkatasubraman

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

22. Edward J. Wassell

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

23. M. C. Witthoeft

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

24. Sang H. Yoon

    Goddard Space Flight Center · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Affiliation as printed

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA