XRS Principle of Operation

This animation illustrates the principle of operation of the X-ray Spectrometer calorimeter.

On the right is an absorbing material, into which a thermometer is embedded. On the left is a heat sink. The absorber and heat sink are joined by thermal link.

An X-ray enters from the upper left into the absorber. As it enters the absorber, the mercury in the thermometer rises, indicating that the temperature of the absorber increases.

The heat from the absorber is then transferred to the heat sink via the thermal link. As the heat is transferred, the temperature of the absorber descreases.

Movie (14 MB)

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