Large-Area Microcalorimeter Detectors for Ultra-High-Resolution X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy

Abstract

We discuss recent developments in using cryogenic microcalorimeter detectors for x- and gamma-ray spectroscopy. We are currently operating a detector array consisting of thirteen pixels with time-domain multiplexed readout. With a single pixel from this detector, we have measured 97.43-keV gamma rays from 153-Gd with 22-eV resolution (FWHM). We have also made the first multiplexed array measurements of plutonium x- and gamma-rays with 45-eV resolution. We are currently testing a 66-pixel next-generation detector chip. Preliminary measurements with the new detector indicate improved energy linearity and single-pixel energy resolution of 50-100 eV at 100 keV. We present preliminary calibration data from this chip, and a high-statistics multiplexed 21-pixel spectrum of the Pu x-ray region between 90 and 130 keV.