The performance of the ATHENA X-ray Integral Field Unit

Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Peille, Philippe
•
den Hartog, Roland
•
•
•
•
Cucchetti, Edoardo
•
Kirsch, Christian
•
Dauser, Thomas
•
Wilms, Joern
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Bandler, Simon R.
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Smith, Stephen J.
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Jackson, Brian
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Geoffray, Hervé
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Mesnager, Jean-Michel
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Pajot, François
•
Barret, Didier
•
Lam-Trong, Thien
•
den Herder, Jan-Willem
•
DOI
Abstract
The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) is a next generation microcalorimeter planned for launch onboard the Athena observatory. Operating a matrix of 3840 superconducting Transition Edge Sensors at 90 mK, it will provide unprecedented spectro-imaging capabilities (2.5 eV resolution, for a field of view of 5') in the soft X-ray band (0.2 up to 12 keV), enabling breakthrough science. The definition of the instrument evolved along the phase A study and we present here an overview of its predicted performances and their modeling, illustrating how the design of the X-IFU meets its top-level scientific requirements. This article notably covers the energy resolution, count-rate capability, quantum efficiency and non X-ray background levels, highlighting their main drivers.
Coverage
Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
All editors
den Herder, Jan-Willem A.; Nikzad, Shouleh; Nakazawa, Kazuhiro
Series
Volume
10699
Start page
106994K
Conferenece
Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray
Conferenece place
Austin, Texas, United States
Conferenece date
10-15 June, 2018
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0277-786X
Ads BibCode
2018SPIE10699E..4KP
Rights
open.access
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