The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) for Athena

Ravera L, Barret D, Den Herder JW, Piro L, Cledassou R, Pointecouteau E, Peille P, Pajot F, Arnaud M, Pigot C, Duband L, Cara C, Den Hartog RH, Gottardi L, Akamatsu H, Van Der Kuur J, Van Weers HJ, De Plaa J, Macculi C, Lotti S, Torrioli G, Gatti F, Valenziano L, Barbera M, Barcons X, Teresa Ceballos M, Fabrega L, Miguel Mas-Hesse J, Page MJ, Guttridge PR, Willingale R, Paltani S, Genolet L, Bozzo E, Rauw G, Renotte E, Wilms J, Schmid C (2014)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Book Volume: 9144

Article Number: ARTN 91442L

DOI: 10.1117/12.2055884

Abstract

Athena is designed to implement the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme selected by the European Space Agency for the second large mission of its Cosmic Vision program. The Athena science payload consists of a large aperture high angular resolution X-ray optics (2 m(2) at 1 keV) and twelve meters away, two interchangeable focal plane instruments: the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) and the Wide Field Imager. The X-IFU is a cryogenic X-ray spectrometer, based on a large array of Transition Edge Sensors (TES), offering 2.5 eV spectral resolution, with similar to 5" pixels, over a field of view of 5' in diameter. In this paper, we present the X-IFU detector and readout electronics principles, some elements of the current design for the focal plane assembly and the cooling chain. We describe the current performance estimates, in terms of spectral resolution, effective area, particle background rejection and count rate capability. Finally, we emphasize on the technology developments necessary to meet the demanding requirements of the X-IFU, both for the sensor, readout electronics and cooling chain.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC/INTA) Spain (ES) Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) / Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Spain (ES) Instituto de Física de Cantabria (IFCA) Spain (ES) University of Leicester United Kingdom (GB) University College London (UCL) United Kingdom (GB) University of Geneva / Université de Genève (UNIGE) Switzerland (CH) Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées France (FR) Netherlands Institute for Space Research / Stichting Ruimteonderzoek Nederland (SRON) Netherlands (NL) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) / National Research Council of Italy Italy (IT) CEA-Leti (Laboratoire d'electronique des technologies de l'information) France (FR) National Institute for Astrophysics / Istituto Nazionale Astrofisica (INAF) Italy (IT) National Centre for Space Studies / Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES) France (FR) French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) France (FR) University of Liège (ULg) / Université de Liège Belgium (BE) University of Genova / Università degli Studi di Genova Italy (IT) Università degli Studi di Palermo Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Ravera, L., Barret, D., Den Herder, J.W., Piro, L., Cledassou, R., Pointecouteau, E.,... Schmid, C. (2014). The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) for Athena.

MLA:

Ravera, Laurent, et al. "The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) for Athena." 2014.

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