X-ray single photon 1-D imaging spectrometers

We have developed superconducting single-photon 1-D imaging X-ray detectors with an energy resolution of 13 eV FWHM at 6 keV and 1-D spatial resolution of 0.25 /spl mu/m over a length of 20 /spl mu/m in an effective area of 20/spl times/100 /spl mu/m/sup 2/. The energy resolution along the 200 /spl mu/m long absorber is 36 eV. The energy resolution of 13 eV is among the best reported for this kind of detectors and is within factor of 2 of its theoretical limit. The signals are read out by low-noise current amplifier with a dc voltage bias. The electronic noise measured by injecting pulses is 8 eV FWHM at 6 keV. By cooling the feedback resistor the current noise is reduced from 160 fA/Hz/sup 1/2/ to 90 fA/Hz/sup 1/2/.