Optimization of niobium tunnel junctions as x-ray detectors

Gregory G. Saulnier; Robert A. Zacher; Deborah Van Vechten; Craig Nelson Boyer; Michael N. Lovellette; Gilbert G. Fritz; Robert J. Soulen Jr.; Joonhee Kang; Mark G. Blamire; Eugenie C.G. Kirk; Robert E. Somekh

doi:10.1117/12.130662

8 October 1992 Optimization of niobium tunnel junctions as x-ray detectors

Gregory G. Saulnier, Robert A. Zacher, Deborah Van Vechten, Craig Nelson Boyer, Michael N. Lovellette, Gilbert G. Fritz, Robert J. Soulen Jr., Joonhee Kang, Mark G. Blamire, Eugenie C.G. Kirk, Robert E. Somekh

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1743, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy III; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.130662
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

We report on our ongoing work using Nb/Al/AIOx!Nb junctions for the detection ofx-rays. Detectors based on superconducting tunneling junctions offer the prospect of resolution over an order of magnitude higher than is obtainable with the current generation of semiconductor-based detectors. Unlike Sn junctions, these Nb-based devices are not degraded by repeated thermal cycling and are known to be exceptionally "radiation hard". We present results on measurements taken at 1.85 K, a temperature achievable with current space flight technology. These measurements include the current-voltage (1-V) curve, subgap current vs. temperature, the dependence of the superconducting current on the applied magnetic field (Fraunhofer pattern), x-ray pulses, and the spectra from a 6 keV x-ray source which gave an intrinsic device resolution of approximately 700 eV. A comparison of the x-ray spectrum peak with a known injected pulse of 105 electrons indicates the collection of more than 105electrons per 6 keV photon.

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Gregory G. Saulnier, Robert A. Zacher, Deborah Van Vechten, Craig Nelson Boyer, Michael N. Lovellette, Gilbert G. Fritz, Robert J. Soulen Jr., Joonhee Kang, Mark G. Blamire, Eugenie C.G. Kirk, and Robert E. Somekh "Optimization of niobium tunnel junctions as x-ray detectors", Proc. SPIE 1743, EUV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Instrumentation for Astronomy III, (8 October 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.130662

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