C. Macculi
A5001198851- Superconducting and THz Device Technology
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Superconducting Materials and Applications
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Soil Moisture and Remote Sensing
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Advanced Semiconductor Detectors and Materials
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Superconductivity in MgB2 and Alloys
National Institute for Astrophysics
2016-2025
Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology
2014-2024
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
2012-2016
University of Palermo
2009
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Genova
2009
University of Genoa
2009
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Roma I
2009
Leonardo (United States)
2009
Space (Italy)
2009
Thales (Australia)
2009
The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) is the high resolution spectrometer of ESA Athena observatory. Over a field view 5' equivalent diameter, it will deliver spectra from 0.2 to 12 keV with spectral 2.5 eV up 7 on ∼ 5" pixels. X-IFU based large format array super-conducting molybdenum-gold Transition Edge Sensors cooled at 90 mK, each coupled an absorber made gold and bismuth pitch 249 μm. A cryogenic anti-coincidence detector located underneath prime TES enables non background be reduced....
The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) on board the Advanced Telescope for High-ENergy Astrophysics (Athena) will provide spatially resolved high-resolution spectroscopy from 0.2 to 12 keV, with 5 arc second pixels over a field of view minute equivalent diameter and spectral resolution 2.5 eV up 7 keV. In this paper, we first review core scientific objectives Athena, driving main performance parameters X-IFU, namely resolution, view, effective area, count rate capabilities, instrumental...
We are developing the Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC) of ATHENA X-IFU spectrometer. It is a TES-based particle aimed to reduce background instrument. Here, we present result obtained with last CryoAC single-pixel prototype. based on 1 cm2 silicon absorber sensed by single 2mm x 1mm Ir/Au TES, featuring an on-chip heater for calibration and diagnostic purposes. have illuminated sample 55Fe (6 keV line) 241Am (60 radioactive sources, thus studying response accuracy at low energy....
The SAFARI instrument is a far-infrared imaging Fourier transform spectrometer for JAXA's SPICA mission. Taking advantage of the low emission SPICA's 5 K telescope, will provide sky background-limited, Nyquist-sampled spectroscopic 2 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">'</sup> × field-of-view over 34-210 μm, creating significant new possibilities astronomy. SAFARI's aggressive science goals drive development unique detector system...
Athena is designed to implement the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme selected by European Space Agency for second large mission of its Cosmic Vision program. The payload consists a aperture high angular resolution X-ray optics (2 m2 at 1 keV) twelve meters away, two interchangeable focal plane instruments: Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) Wide Imager. X-IFU cryogenic spectrometer, based on array Transition Edge Sensors (TES), offering 2:5 eV spectral resolution, with ~5" pixels, over...
The Cryogenic AntiCoincidence Detector (CryoAC) is a key element of the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) on board future ATHENA observatory. It TES-based detector designed to reduce particle background instrument, thereby increasing its sensitivity. design driven by an end-to-end simulator which includes electro-thermal modelling and dynamics readout chain. Here, we present measurements carried out last CryoAC single pixel prototype, namely DM127, in order evaluate critical thermal...
The Athena mission entered a redefinition phase in July 2022, driven by the imperative to reduce cost at completion for European Space Agency below an acceptable target, while maintaining flagship nature of its science return. This notably called complete redesign X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) cryogenic architecture towards simpler active cooling chain. Passive via successive radiative panels spacecraft level is now used provide 50 K thermal environment X-IFU owned cryostat. 4.5 achieved...
The Athena+ mission concept is designed to implement the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme submitted European Space Agency in response call for White Papers definition of L2 L3 missions its program. payload consists a large aperture high angular resolution X-ray optics twelve meters away, two interchangeable focal plane instruments: Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) Wide Imager (WFI). X-IFU cryogenic spectrometer, based on array Transition Edge Sensors (TES), offering 2.5 eV spectral...
Abstract Both interplanetary space and Earth’s magnetosphere are populated by low-energy (≤300 keV) protons that potentially able to scatter on the reflecting surface of Wolter-I optics X-ray focusing telescopes reach focal plane. This phenomenon, depending instrumentation, can dramatically increase background level, reducing sensitivity or, in most extreme cases, compromising observation itself. The use a magnetic diverter, deflecting away from field view, requires detailed characterization...
Abstract X-ray observations are limited by the background, due to intrinsic faintness or diffuse nature of sources. The future Athena observatory has among its goals characterization these We aim at characterizing particle-induced background microcalorimeter, in both low- (soft protons) and high-energy (galactic cosmic rays—GCR) induced components, assess instrument capability characterize background-dominated sources such as outskirts clusters galaxies. compare two radiation environments,...
Athena (advanced telescope for high-energy astrophysics) is an ESA large-class mission, at present under a re-definition “design-to-cost” phase, planned prospective launch L1 orbit in the second half of 2030s. It will be observatory alternatively focusing on two complementary instruments: X-IFU (X-ray Integral Field Unit), TES (TransitionEdge Sensor)-based kilo-pixel array which able to perform simultaneous high-grade energy spectroscopy (~3 eV@7 keV) and imaging over 4′ FoV (field view),...
In the context of ATHENA X-IFU Cryogenic AntiCoincidence Detector (CryoAC) development, we have studied thermalization properties a 2mm x SQUID chip. The chip is glued on front-end PCB and operated cold stage dilution refrigerator (TBASE < 20 mK). We performed thermal conductance measurements by using different materials to glue PCB. These been repeated in subsequent cryostat runs, highlight degradation effects due cycles. Here, present results obtained glues greases widely used cryogenic...
This paper summarizes a preliminary design concept for the focal plane assembly of X-ray Integral Field Unit on Athena spacecraft, an imaging microcalorimeter that will enable high spectral resolution and point-source spectroscopy. The instrument's sensor array be ~ 3840-pixel transition edge (TES) array, with frequency domain multiplexed SQUID readout system allowing this large-format to operated within thermal constraints cryogenic system. A second TES detector in close proximity detect...
The X-IFU is the cryogenic spectrometer onboard future ATHENA X-ray observatory. It based on a large array of TES microcalorimeters, which works in combination with Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC). This necessary to reduce particle background level thus enabling part mission science goals. Here we present first joint test and CryoAC Demonstration Models, performed FDM setup. We show that it possible operate properly both detectors, provide preliminary demonstration...
ATHENA is an advanced X-ray observatory designed by a large European consortium to address the science theme "Hot and Energetic Universe" recently selected ESA for L2 – second Large-class mission within Cosmic Vision program (launch scheduled in 2028). One of key instruments Integral Field Unit (X-IFU), array Transition Edge Sensor (TES) micro-calorimeters with high energy resolution (2.5 eV @ 6 keV) range 0.2÷12 keV, operating at focal plane effective area angular (5" HEW) grazing incidence...
The background of the ATHENA X-IFU instrument is evaluated by Geant4 simulations. A new, highly detailed, mass model and its cryostat has been produced, a new for Galactic Cosmic Ray protons in L2 developed from satellite data, set physics models tuned to needs refined through extensive validations against experimental results. We are going report latest results estimate instrument, obtained after update all elements simulations post processing software.