New superconducting X-ray detector is up to 1000 times more sensitive

Jun 26, 2026 Last reply: 3 weeks ago 3 Replies

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New superconducting X-ray detector is up to 1,000 times more sensitive Date: June 24, 2026 Source: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie Summary: A groundbreaking superconducting X-ray spectrometer has begun operation at BESSY II, giving Europe its first TES-based system and boosting photon detection efficiency by up to 1,000 times. The advance enables scientists to explore atomically thin materials, nanostructures, and ultra-dilute samples with remarkable speed and sensitivity.



Nice PCBs :-)


Transition edge sensors are fascinating. You get single-photon sensitivity and some energy resolution at the same time.

Jeroen Belleman

There is more info on those here:

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Now if you could put some Peltiers in seris the cooling could be simple?

You have to get down to a few kelvin, which is out of reach for Peltier coolers.

Jeroen Belleman

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