Numéro
J. Phys. IV France
Volume 12, Numéro 3, May 2002
Page(s) 145 - 148
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/jp420020055


J. Phys. IV France
12 (2002) Pr3-145
DOI: 10.1051/jp420020055

Tantalum superconducting tunnel junctions for photon counting detectors

C. Jorel1, 2, P. Feautrier1, J.-C. Villégier2 and A. Benoit3

1  LAOG, 414 rue de la Piscine, Domaine Universitaire, 38040 Grenoble cedex 9, France
2  CEA Grenoble, SPSMS/LCP, 38054 Grenoble cedex 9, France
3  CRTBT, CNRS, BP. 166, 38042 Grenoble cedex 9, France


Abstract
This paper presents the fabrication of Ta Superconducting Tunnel Junction detector working at 0.2 K to be used for photon counting instruments in astronomical applications. We would like to operate this type of detectors up to 2.5 Mm with a moderate energy resolution in order to offer innovative instrumental perspectives to the astronomical community. The Ta junction fabrication and characterization as well as photon counting experiments in the near-infrared are presented. Fabrication process improvements are discussed at the end of this paper.



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