The ground calibration of X-ray CCD cameras (XIS) with front-illuminated chips onboard Astro-E2

We report on the results of the ground calibration of Astro-E2/XIS with front-illuminated (FI) chips. The sensors have basically the same performance as that of Astro-E/XIS. However, there are some improved points: (1) A 55Fe radio isotope is equipped on the door and (2) the capability for charge injection (CI) has been added. We measured the gain, energy resolution, and quantum efficiency (QE) of the FI sensors as a function of energy by using characteristic X-rays for each sensor. An energy resolution of 130 eV at 5.9 keV in FWHM and a QE of 52% at 8.6 keV are achieved. After XIS is launched, the charge transfer inefficiency (CTI) will increase due to radiation damage by cosmic rays. Then XIS is equipped with the CI capability to calibrate and compensate for the increase in CTI. We estimate the time variability in the amount of the injected charge.