Title:

Transition Edge Sensor Microcalorimeters for ASCENT - A Superconducting Energetic X-ray Telescope

‘A SuperConducting ENergetic x-ray Telescope’ (ASCENT) is a proposed telescope project that seeks to further understand the structure of supernova remnants through observations of the Titanium-44 emissions from the remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). ASCENT aims to achieve a resolution of 8-16 fold better than previous observations of Cas A to improve the understanding of the relationship between supernovae and their remnants. This will be accomplished by using an array of transition edge sensors (TES) that utilize the temperature dependence of resistance between normal and superconducting temperatures. I have worked on several aspects of the development of the ASCENT mission concept. I have run a simulation of a section of tin to model how a TES will respond to incoming radiation from Cas A in the optimal range of 1-100 keV. Using Geant4 simulation software, I have constructed a model of the cryostat apparatus that will house the detector array in future experiments to see how it will impact particle detection in the TESs. Understanding how the TESs respond to stimulus is necessary to properly calibrate them for use in ASCENT. Future work will include calibrations and baseline measurements of the cryostat, electronics setup, and detector array so that the readout data from the experiment can be processed properly.

Name

Comment*

Comments are viewable only by submitter

Captcha*