Development of a TES microcalorimeter for spectroscopic measurement of LX-rays emitted by transuranium elements

Maehata, Keisuke*; Nakamura, Keisuke*; Yasumune, Takashi*; Ishibashi, Kenji*; Takasaki, Koji  ; Tanaka, Keiichi*; Odawara, Akikazu*; Nagata, Atsushi*

A phase transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter was developed for the energy dispersive measurement of LX-ray photons emitted from transuranium elements. The phase transition temperature of the TES was designed to be 200 mK by using bilayer structure of Au of 120 nm thick and Ti of 50 nm thick. The Au layer of 5.0 m thick was deposited on the Au/Ti bilayer for absorption efficiency of 50% and counting rate of 100 counts per second in the detection of LX-ray photons with the energy from 10 to 20 keV. The TES microcalorimeter was operated for the detection of LX-ray photons emitted from Am, Pu and Pu sources. The decay time constant of 180 s of detection signal pulses allowed the TES microcalorimeter operating with the counting rate higher than 100 counts per second. The energy resolution was obtained to be 50 eV of FWHM value for a peak corresponding to Np L X-ray of 17.75 keV.