0000000000092573
AUTHOR
M. Mastropietro
TES microcalorimeter for IXO: From focal plane to anticoincidence detector
The high resolution spectroscopy provides a unique technique to extract fundamental information in X-ray Astrophysics and Cosmology. In order to exploit at the best the capability of carrying out spectroscopy of faint sources, great care must be taken to reduce the background in the main detector. In this paper, we will present the working principle of a TES (Transition Edge Sensor) Microcalorimeter, its application for fine spectroscopy and a novel anticoincidence technique , based itself on a TES detector. Recent results from the first sample of the IXO-anticoincidence detector will be also shown.
The Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT)
High-time-resolution X-ray observations of compact objects provide direct access to strong-field gravity, to the equation of state of ultra-dense matter and to black hole masses and spins. A 10 m^2-class instrument in combination with good spectral resolution is required to exploit the relevant diagnostics and answer two of the fundamental questions of the European Space Agency (ESA) Cosmic Vision Theme "Matter under extreme conditions", namely: does matter orbiting close to the event horizon follow the predictions of general relativity? What is the equation of state of matter in neutron stars? The Large Observatory For X-ray Timing (LOFT), selected by ESA as one of the four Cosmic Vision M…
LOFT - A large observatory for x-ray timing
The high time resolution observations of the X-ray sky hold the key to a number of diagnostics of fundamental physics, some of which are unaccessible to other types of investigations, such as those based on imaging and spectroscopy. Revealing strong gravitational field effects, measuring the mass and spin of black holes and the equation of state of ultradense matter are among the goals of such observations. At present prospects for future, non-focused X-ray timing experiments following the exciting age of RXTE/PCA are uncertain. Technological limitations are unavoidably faced in the conception and development of experiments with effective area of several square meters, as needed in order to…