An innovative large format cryogenic x-ray detector is described that is based on an array of magnetic microcalorimeters and fast, multiplexed SQUID readouts. The proposed microcalorimeter design consists of a thick-film x-ray absorber deposited on top of a paramagnetic alloy that is coupled to a… More

This proposal describes three technical innovations in an effort to develop cryogenic detectors for the UV and x-ray regions. Specifically, the development of improved superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detectors and arrays using advanced process technologies, single-stage SQUID amplifiers with… More

This proposal describes an innovative two-stage SQUID-based amplifier and PC-based high-speed feedback electronics without flux modulation for low-impedance cryogenic detector readouts. The proposed amplifier consists of a sensitive input SQUID followed by a coherently modulated output SQUID array.… More

This proposal describes three technical innovations in an effort to develop cryogenic detectors for the UV and x-ray regions. Specifically, the development of improved superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detectors and arrays using advanced process technologies, single-stage SQUID amplifiers with… More

This proposal describes an innovative two-stage SQUID-based amplifier and PC-based high-speed feedback electronics without flux modulation for low-impedance cryogenic detector readouts. The proposed amplifier consists of a sensitive input SQUID followed by a coherently modulated output SQUID array.… More

An innovative superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter array with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) readouts is described for high energy and high spatial resolution X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and microanalysis. The proposed microcalorimeter… More

An innovative surface micromachining technique is described for the fabrication of closely-packed arrays of transition edge sensor (TES) x-ray microcalorimeters. This technique enables individual TES microcalorimeters to be suspended on a thin membrane for thermal isolation from the bath… More

75308-Fundamental research in nuclear physics, such as the search for the neutron electric dipole moment (EDM), requires advances in detector systems and instrumentation. In particular, advanced detector systems are needed to enable precise experimental measurements of the magnetization of… More

A low-cost superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter spectrometer is described for high energy and high spatial resolution X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and microanalysis. The proposed microcalorimeter instrument offers an energy resolution that is comparable to and… More

75308S Fundamental research in nuclear physics, such as the search for the neutron electric dipole moment (EDM), requires advances in detector systems and instrumentation. In particular, advanced detector systems are needed to enable precision measurements of the magnetization of polarized nuclei… More

An innovative method is described for the fabrication of superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detector arrays offering true "three dimensional" imaging throughout the UV, visible and near-IR spectrum. Current state-of-the-art STJ detectors are fabricated from thin epitaxial Ta films that must be… More

Future missions to study astrophysical sources at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths require focal planes of 1000's of detectors that must operate at the background limit from cooled telescopes in space, couple efficiently to optical systems spanning wavelengths from 1 cm to 0.1 mm, allow… More

A key factor of international efforts to identify and suppress the supply of and demand for nuclear materials, and thereby to deter potential traffickers, is the ability to accurately identify contradicted material and ultimately to trace it back to its origin. Alpha particle spectroscopy is widely… More

Ultra-sensitive Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) sensors are the most sensitive detectors of magnetic flux available. Such SQUID-based sensor systems are critical components of key experiments in nuclear physics, including the search for the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM)… More

A key factor of international efforts to identify and suppress the supply of and demand for nuclear materials, and thereby to deter potential traffickers, is the ability to accurately identify contradicted material and ultimately to trace it back to its origin. Alpha particle spectroscopy is widely… More

Ultra-sensitive Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) sensors, which are critical components of key experiments in nuclear physics, are the most sensitive detectors of magnetic flux available. However, currently available SQUID readout electronics are extremely dated in terms of… More

An innovative thin-film magnetic thermometer with integrated superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) readout is described for fast, precision temperature measurements in the 10 mK range. The compact thermometer consists of a miniature DC SQUID susceptometer with a dilute paramagnetic… More

A new class of soft X-ray detectors based on superconducting tunnel junctions that offer both excellent energy resolution as well as high count rate capabilities are now becoming available. These advanced detectors operate at around 0.3 K and require a cryogenic refrigeration system and temperature… More

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a powerful tool used to study the local molecular and electronic structure of specific elements in a broad range of samples ranging from chemicals and biological samples or tissues to soils and rocks. To achieve the utmost sensitivity, X-ray detectors are… More

A new class of soft X-ray detectors based on superconducting tunnel junctions that offers both excellent energy resolution as well as high count rate capabilities is now becoming available. These advanced detectors operate at around 0.3 K and require a cryogenic refrigeration system and temperature… More

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is a widely used and extremely sensitive analytical technique for qualitative as well as quantitative chemical analysis. Superconducting Transition Edge Sensor (TES) microcalorimeter detectors have now been developed that achieve an energy resolution of 2 eV (full… More

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a widely used experimental technique for studying the composition and chemistry of materials and is one of the driving forces behind the explosive growth of synchrotron light sources and their increase in brightness by many orders of magnitude. However, advances in… More