Soft X-ray Absorbers Enabling Study of the Diffuse X-ray Background

Fabricate and demonstrate performance of new large-area soft x-ray absorbers, using techniques that allow integration with either magnetic penetration thermometers (MPT) or transition-edge sensors (TES) to make high-resolution microcalorimeter arrays with large total collecting area.

Absorbers for soft x-rays need to be made thinner and with larger area, to collect more photons, and with minimal number of support stems. However, the structure is then more challenging to fabricate and more subject to distortion or damage from internal or external stress. We will test multiple fabrication/design innovations.