Development of arrays of TES x-ray detectors

Both the x-ray astrophysics and microanalysis communities need large format arrays of high-spectral-resolution x-ray detectors. To meet this need, we are fabricating multi-pixel arrays of our successful single pixel transition edge sensor (TES) x-ray microcalorimeters. We will adapt SQUID multiplexing technology already in use with our infrared TES bolometer arrays to reduce the wiring and power dissipation at the cold stage of our cryostat. Room temperature digital feedback electronics have also been developed to simplify the read-out of large numbers of pixels, and microfabrication techniques are being explored to enable the fabrication of large, close-packed arrays of TES microcalorimeters.