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

[en] 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 m2 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 ~5" pixels, over a field of view of 50 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.

Disciplines :

Space science, astronomy & astrophysics

Author, co-author :

Ravera, Laurent; Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, IRAP, CNRS, Univ. de Toulouse (France)

Barret, Didier; Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, IRAP, CNRS, Univ. de Toulouse (France)

den Herder, Jan Willem; SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

Piro, Luigi; INAF - Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (Italy)

Clédassou, Rodolphe; Ctr. National d'Études Spatiales (France)

Pointecouteau, Etienne; Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, IRAP, CNRS, Univ. de Toulouse (France)

Peille, Philippe; Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, IRAP, CNRS, Univ. de Toulouse (France)

Pajot, Francois; Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, IRAP, CNRS, Univ. de Toulouse (France)

Arnaud, Monique; CEA-IRFU (France)

Pigot, Claude; CEA-IRFU (France)

More authors (28 more)

Language :

English

Title :

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

Publication date :

01 July 2014

Event name :

Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray

Event organizer :

SPIE

Event place :

Montreal, Canada

Event date :

22-6-2014

Audience :

International

Main work title :

Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Series

ISBN/EAN :

9780819496126

Additional URL :

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014SPIE.9144E..2LR

Commentary :

ISBN: 9144

Available on ORBi :

since 28 November 2014

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Bibliography

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