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Cryogenic Detectors: From Their Fundamental Physics to Their Applications in Space

A Special Issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220) belonging to the section "Physical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1071

Editor


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Guest Editor
Space Research Organisation Netherlands SRON, Leiden, The Netherlands
Interests: low temperature detectors; new cooler evaluating; TES calorimeters operating; TES array testing performing measurements; array analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue “Cryogenic Detectors: From Their Fundamental Physics to Their Applications in Space” aims to provide a comprehensive platform for presenting recent progress, emerging challenges, and future directions in cryogenic sensing technologies. Operating from millikelvin to low-kelvin temperatures, these detectors play a pivotal role in a broad range of scientific disciplines, with applications spanning particle and astroparticle physics, cosmology, quantum information science, condensed-matter research, and space instrumentation. Their exceptional sensitivity and ability to resolve faint or low-energy signals have driven breakthroughs in fields such as dark-matter detection, neutrino experiments, gravitational-wave observatories, and high-resolution spectroscopy across the electromagnetic spectrum.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, technical developments, and reviews related to the design, fabrication, characterization, and deployment of cryogenic sensors. Relevant topics include superconducting detectors (TES, MKID, SNSPD), cryogenic bolometers and calorimeters, quantum sensors, micro- and nanofabrication approaches, and cryogenic readout electronics such as SQUID-based and microwave multiplexing architectures. Studies addressing system-level integration, thermal design, reliability, and packaging for long-term or space-based operation are also of interest. Areas of application include dark-matter and neutrino experiments, precision spectroscopy, astrophysical observations, quantum measurements, and cryogenic imaging systems.

By gathering contributions from both academic and industrial communities, this Special Issue aims to provide an updated overview of current trends in cryogenic detector research and to highlight innovative approaches that support next-generation sensors and instrumentation.

Dr. Emanuele Taralli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cryogenic sensing
  • superconducting detectors
  • cryogenic readout electronics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 756 KB  
Communication
Cryogenic Characterisation of a Commercial Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) for MKID Readout Systems
by Dylan E. Santos-Verzilli, Diego Portero-Rodríguez, Hugo García-Vázquez, José Manuel Rodríguez Ramos and Luis Fernando Rodríguez Ramos
Sensors 2026, 26(17), 5356; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26175356 - 25 Aug 2026
Viewed by 292
Abstract
The use of non-certified commercial electronics for cryogenic applications may be attractive due to their reduced cost and high availability, but they also carry risks related to reliability, performance, and thermal compatibility. The decision to use commercial components that are not certified for [...] Read more.
The use of non-certified commercial electronics for cryogenic applications may be attractive due to their reduced cost and high availability, but they also carry risks related to reliability, performance, and thermal compatibility. The decision to use commercial components that are not certified for cryogenics instead of components specifically designed for such applications must be carefully weighed based on specific project needs and risk tolerances. This work presents the characterisation of a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) at cryogenic temperatures for use in astronomical instrumentation applications with a microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) readout system. The cooling system comprises a cryostat, a cold head operating in a closed-cycle helium refrigeration system based on the Gifford–McMahon principle, a compressor, connectors, cables, a vacuum pump, pressure and temperature sensors, and a temperature control system. The circuit was characterised over the temperature range of 295.4 K to 78.3 K. Full article
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17 pages, 5879 KB  
Article
Developing the NewAthena X-IFU Cryogenic AntiCoincidence Detector (CryoAC): From Microfabrication Process Standardization to Cryogenic Functional Verification Toward TRL5
by Claudio Macculi, Matteo D’Andrea, Giacomo Gorla, Simone Lotti, Gabriele Minervini, Francesco Monastra, Luigi Piro, Lorenzo Ferrari Barusso, Edvige Celasco, Flavio Gatti, Daniele Grosso, Manuela Rigano, Fabio Chiarello, Guido Torrioli, Mauro Fiorini, Michela Uslenghi, Daniele Brienza, Elisabetta Cavazzuti, Chiara Grappasonni, Simonetta Puccetti, Angela Volpe, Paolo Bastia, Artur Cardoso Coimbra and Francesco Villaadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Sensors 2026, 26(15), 4985; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26154985 - 6 Aug 2026
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Abstract
The Cryogenic Anticoincidence (CryoAC) detector is a critical subsystem designed to reduce the particle background for the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) instrument onboard the NewAthena space observatory, the next ESA X-ray Large mission. Advancing this technology to Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL5) [...] Read more.
The Cryogenic Anticoincidence (CryoAC) detector is a critical subsystem designed to reduce the particle background for the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) instrument onboard the NewAthena space observatory, the next ESA X-ray Large mission. Advancing this technology to Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL5) requires a unified validation spanning both cleanroom microfabrication repeatability and mK low temperature operational performance. This work presents the complete development cycle of the Demonstration Model 1.2 (DM 1.2), which is aimed at completing the TRL5 demonstration path featured by all the critical technologies operating simultaneously. First, single-process verification protocols were established for Iridium pulsed laser deposition, Reactive Ion Etching (RIE), and deep silicon trenching via the Bosch process. Second, three identical single-pixel prototypes were fabricated and subjected to mK characterization. Four-wire resistance measurement results confirmed a 2/3 production yield against strict design targets (TC ~100 mK). Finally, functional testing at a bath temperature of 50 mK using a VTT FAB4 SQUID readout demonstrated excellent performance, including a low-energy threshold of ~0.6 keV, a pixel power dissipation of 5.15 nW, and an energy resolution ΔEFWHM = 735 eV at 6 keV. These combined achievements successfully validate the entire manufacturing and operational baseline against all primary space mission requirements. This paper has to be considered as a review of the CryoAC technology path toward the TRL5 achievement; main findings will be reported and discussed. Details are relegated to other papers. Full article
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