The Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU)
Abstract
The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) for Athena is based on Transition Edge Sensors (TES). In its baseline configuration, it is made of a monolithic array of 3840 single size TES cooled at ~100 mK, thus providing a spectral resolution of 2.5 eV over a field of view of 5' equivalent diameter. In this paper, I will recall the top-level instrument performance requirements and associated science drivers. The baseline instrument design will be presented before reporting on the on-going instrument activities (e.g. the TES array optimization exercise), that are preparatory to the phase A study and to the demonstration model development. The X-IFU will be provided by an international consortium led by France, The Netherlands and Italy, with ESA member state contributions from Belgium, Finland, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, Switzerland together with the United States and Japan.
- Publication:
-
Exploring the Hot and Energetic Universe: The first scientific conference dedicated to the Athena X-ray observatory
- Pub Date:
- September 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015eheu.conf....4B