Note: Operation of gamma-ray microcalorimeters at elevated count rates using filters with constraints

Journal Article · Wed May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4806802· OSTI ID:22118569

Alpert, B. K.; Horansky, R. D.; Bennett, D. A.; Doriese, W. B.; Fowler, J. W.; Ullom, J. N. ^[1]; Hoover, A. S.; Rabin, M. W. ^[2]

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1. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado 80305 (United States)
2. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

Microcalorimeter sensors operated near 0.1 K can measure the energy of individual x- and gamma-ray photons with significantly more precision than conventional semiconductor technologies. Both microcalorimeter arrays and higher per pixel count rates are desirable to increase the total throughput of spectrometers based on these devices. The millisecond recovery time of gamma-ray microcalorimeters and the resulting pulse pileup are significant obstacles to high per pixel count rates. Here, we demonstrate operation of a microcalorimeter detector at elevated count rates by use of convolution filters designed to be orthogonal to the exponential tail of a preceding pulse. These filters allow operation at 50% higher count rates than conventional filters while largely preserving sensor energy resolution.

• OSTI ID: 22118569
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 84, Issue 5; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ACCURACY
CALORIMETERS
CALORIMETRY
COUNTING RATES
ENERGY RESOLUTION
FILTERS
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA RADIATION
PARTICLES
PHOTONS
PULSE PILEUP
PULSES
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SENSORS