The performance of the ATHENA X-ray Integral Field Unit
- Authors: Peille, Philippe; den Hartog, Roland; Macculi, Claudio; Barbera, Marco; Lotti, Simone; Cucchetti, Edoardo; Kirsch, Christian; Dauser, Thomas; Wilms, Joern; Bandler, Simon R.; Smith, Stephen J.; Jackson, Brian; Geoffray, Hervé; Mesnager, Jean-Michel; Pajot, François; Barret, Didier; Lam-Trong, Thien; den Herder, Jan-Willem; Piro, Luigi
- Publication year: 2018
- Type: Contributo in atti di convegno pubblicato in volume
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/302530
Abstract
The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) is a next generation microcalorimeter planned for launch onboard the Athena observatory. Operating a matrix of 3840 superconducting Transition Edge Sensors at 90 mK, it will provide unprecedented spectro-imaging capabilities (2.5 eV resolution, for a field of view of 5') in the soft X-ray band (0.2 up to 12 keV), enabling breakthrough science. The definition of the instrument evolved along the phase A study and we present here an overview of its predicted performances and their modeling, illustrating how the design of the X-IFU meets its top-level scientific requirements. This article notably covers the energy resolution, count-rate capability, quantum efficiency and non X-ray background levels, highlighting their main drivers.