This paper details the development of the Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) control electronics for X-IFU instrument, of ESA’s newAthena observatory. The ADR operates in a closed loop using a PID system, where the voltage bias is regulated based on the temperature measurements. The core of this work details the design and development of two electronics board prototypes, a differential low noise amplifier and a power supply board, addressing the unique space constraints and operational requirements. The ultra-low noise amplifier is designed to readout a 50mK resistive sensor. We have achieved a noise level of 2nV/√Hz which is critical for addressing the challenges of thermal stability (0.8μK RMS at 50mK), essential to achieve the instrument’s target resolution of 2.5eV. Preliminary results of the ADR cooler’s performance and its control electronics will be presented, emphasizing the temperature regulation achievements during the observation phase.
The Athena observatory is the second large class ESA mission to be launched in early 2030's. One of its two instruments on board is the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU). X-IFU will provide a high energy resolution of 2.5eV at 7keV thanks to cryogenic micro-calorimeter of Transition Edge Sensor (TES). In this paper, we will describe the architecture of the ADR control electronics designed following space constraint rules. In particular, two prototypes have been developed. The first one is a differential low noise amplifier with an equivalent input noise density close to 2nV/√Hz at 1kHz. Together with ruthenium oxide thermometer from Lakeshore are dedicated to 50mK measurement. A goal of a noise below 0.4μK/√(Hz) RMS, twice thermal stability requirement is targeted. The second board uses DC/DC converter followed by a fully integrated low dropout voltage regulator (LDO) to supply the ADR superconducting coil. It will control precisely the voltage applied to the ADR cooler during regulation phase and provide up to 2A current during the recycling phase. Complementary approach regarding ADR regulation using simulation with a simplified model of the ADR in Matlab-Simulink will be presented herein.
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