NIST researchers have developed microcalorimeter X-ray detectors that can measure the energy of individual X-ray photons with high precision. These detectors use transition-edge sensors and operate at extremely low temperatures, which allows for excellent energy resolution. However, their complexity—due to small detector size, need for superconducting electronics, and specialized cooling—has limited their widespread use in commercial and scientific applications.
The project aims to simplify the operation and calibration of these detectors, making them more practical for use in physics and materials science. Researchers are working on improving energy stability, automating calibration, and combining data from multiple detectors. The work involves collaboration with institutions like Murdoch University and Star Cryoelectronics, and has led to several publications and a patent for real-time X-ray pulse processing. These advancements could lead to more accurate and efficient X-ray spectroscopy in the future.
Keywords: microcalorimeter, transition-edge sensor, x-ray detector
