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Title: Fabrication of Gamma Detectors Based on Magnetic Ag:Er Microcalorimeters

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1256452· OSTI ID:1256452
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  3. STAR Cryoelectronics, Santa Fe, NM (United States)

This report discusses the photolithographic fabrication of ultra-high resolution gamma-ray detectors based on magnetic microcalorimeters (MMCs). The MMC uses a novel Er-doped silver sensor (Ag:Er) that is expected to have higher sensitivity than the Er-doped gold (Au:Er) sensors currently in use. The MMC also integrates the first-stage SQUID preamplifier on the same chip as the MMC gamma detector to increase its signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, the MMC uses a passive Ta-Nb heat switch to replace one of the common long-term failure points in earlier detectors. This report discusses the fabrication process we have developed to implement the proposed improvements.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1256452
Report Number(s):
LLNL-TR-691117; TRN: US1700210
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English