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
Book Volume: 9144
Article Number: ARTN 91442L
DOI: 10.1117/12.2055884
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.
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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