Outline of Publicly Offered Research

Program A01-2 Research on stable operation of superconducting transition-edge sensors in neutral particle measurement
Principal Investigator FUJIMOTO, Ryuichi (Kanazawa University)

Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) microcalorimeters are non-dispersive X-ray detectors that achieve high energy-resolution comparable to grating spectrometers. If they can be stably operated with an open hole in a radiation-blocking window, their application range would be significantly extended, including neutral particle measurement. In this research, we aim to design an optimal magnetic and thermal shield, making full use of 3D electromagnetic and thermal calculations, and to establish a technique of stable operation of TES microcalorimeters without a radiation-blocking window. This will help applications of TES microcalorimeters in various fields of advanced measurement. It will also lead to a breakthrough in astronomical observations.

In 2019, we will establish a method of 3D electromagnetic and thermal calculations, in realistic configurations including a radiation blocking window. In 2020, we carry out electromagnetic and thermal calculations for complex cooling systems at Kanazawa University, J-PARC, RIKEN, AIST, based on the method established. We also try to improve calculation accuracy.

The principal researcher, Dr. Fujimoto, has been leading development of X-ray microcalorimeter instruments installed on X-ray astronomy satellites, has been doing research and development of TES microcalorimeters in a laboratory, and achieved spectral resolution of better than 3 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV on an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) of his own making. Dr. Noda has various experience in thermal calculations for satellite development and ground experiments. Dr. Yamada is a member of the core research program, has lots of experience in experiments for ground applications, and supports smooth communication with the core research program team.

Left panel: Low-temperature stage of the ADR cryostat developed at Kanazawa University for TES microcalorimeter operation.
Right panel: Energy resolution of 2.5 eV FWHM was achieved at 5.9 keV.

Members

Principal Investigator
FUJIMOTO, Ryuichi
(Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University)
Research Collaborators
NODA, Hirofumi (Osaka University)
YAMADA, Shinya (Tokyo Metropolitan University)

Reference Materials

  • R. Fujimoto et al., “Performance of the helium dewar and the cryocoolers of the Hitomi soft x-ray spectrometer,” J. Astron. Telesc. Instrum. Syst. 4, id. 011208 (2018).
  • Hitomi Collaboration, “Atmospheric gas dynamics in the Perseus cluster observed with Hitomi,” Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn. 70, id.9 (2018).
  • U. Hishi, R. Fujimoto, M. Kotake, H. Ito, K. Tanaka, Y. Kai, Y. Kinoshita, “X-ray study of extended emission around M 86 observed with Suzaku,” Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn. 69, id.42 (2017).
  • U. Hishi, R. Fujimoto, M. Kamiya, M. Kotake, H. Ito, T. Kaido, K. Tanaka, K. Hattori, “Temperature control and noise reduction in our compact ADR system for TES microcalorimeter operation,” J. Low Temp. Phys. 184, 583 (2016).
  • U. Hishi, R. Fujimoto, T. Kinoshita, S. Takakura, T. Mitsude, K. Kamiya, M. Kotake, A. Hoshino, K. Shinozaki, “Magnetic shielding of an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator for TES microcalorimeter operation,“ J. Low Temp. Phys. 176, 1075 (2014).