Multi-element microcalorimeter array. The microcalorimeter array includes at least two microcalorimeter with each microcalorimeter including a detector coupled thermally to a cold bath. Each detector has associated with it a thermal sensor to generate a signal proportional to a rise in the detector's temperature. A single negative voltage feedback JFET preamplifier circuit is connected to each of the detectors and includes a JFET with a gate, the signals from the thermal sensors connected to the gate. The output of the preamplifier circuit is proportional to radiation energy absorbed by the detector. Each detector has a different thermal recovery time so that the detectors can be discriminated. The multiplexing arrangement of the invention makes it possible to reduce the overall number of preamplifier and post-processing channels for a large multi-element array. This reduction in turn significantly lowers the JFET heat load, mass and power requirements for the microcalorimeter array.
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