This article is cited in 2 papers

Superconductivity

On the passive electrode signal in X-ray detectors based on superconducting tunnel junctions

V. A. Andrianov^a, V. P. Koshelets^b, L. V. Filippenko<sup>b

a</sup> Lomonosov Moscow State University, Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics
^b Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Abstract: X-ray detectors based on superconducting tunnel junctions with the multilayer electrode structure described by the formula Ti/Nb/Al, AlO$_x$/Al/Nb/NbN were studied. The main signal arose during X-ray absorption in the top electrode and had an energy resolution of $\sim$90 eV at the 5.9-keV line. The bottom passive Ti/Nb electrode provided rapid absorption of excess quasiparticles. The residual signal of the passive electrode was from 7 to 17% of the main signal amplitude. The dependences of the amplitude of this signal on the voltage and the absorbed X-ray energy were measured for detectors with different thicknesses of the top and bottom electrodes. The rate of quasiparticle trapping by the energy trap in the Ti/Nb bilayer was estimated. The main mechanisms of the formation of the passive electrode signal formation were considered and methods for its suppression were proposed.

Received: 28.09.2010
Accepted: 01.02.2011

 English version: Physics of the Solid State, 2011, 53:8, 1540–1546

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