Technical status of X-IFU prior to mission adoption

The SPIE meeting 2026 was the opportunity to present X-IFU as it stands today, as we move towards the start of the mission adoption process, to be concluded in June 2027. The overview presentation given by Philippe Peille (CNES, Instrument manager) showed the status of X-IFU, and presented all the demonstration activities that are on-going. The presentation also pointed towards other presentations at the conference.

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Understanding TES Performance in Modified Bias Circuits for X-IFU Multiplexed Readout

A recent paper by Smith et al., « Transition-edge sensor characteristics in a modified bias circuit for multiplexed readout, »has been accepted for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity. The work addresses an important aspect of X-IFU detector readout: the impact of incorporating a bypass resistor into the bias circuit used for time-division multiplexing (TDM). […]

Successful coupling of the X-IFU Warm Front-End Electronics demonstrator at SRON

A major milestone has been reached beginning of October 2025 in the development of the Warm Front-End Electronics (WFEE) for the ATHENA X-IFU detection chain with the successful coupling of WFEE demonstrator model 2 (DM2) during the Focal Plane Assembly (FPA) DM1.1 test campaign at SRON (Space Research Organisation Netherlands). The WFEE, developed by APC […]

The first test of the Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC) inside the X-IFU Demonstration Model 1.1 has been successfully completed

Image above : The CryoAC demonstration prototype integrated in the detectors flange of the Focal Plane Assembly Demonstration Model 1.1. Image credit: SRON. The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) is the cryogenic instrument onboard NewAthena mission. In the late 30s, it will transform our understanding of the hottest components and the most energetic phenomena in […]

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