Paper 13103-124
Preliminary characterization of a MCP photon counting detector prototype based on a custom-developed readout ASIC
Abstract
Microchannel plates-based detectors have been for a long time the detectors of choice for astronomical applications in the FUV/EUV, due to their photon counting capability and the possibility of solar blindness. In the framework of technological R&D for a future astronomical FUV/EUV spectrograph, we are developing a new readout system to allow unprecedented dynamic range. The goal is to realize a photon counting, solar blind, UV detector, based on a MCP read out with a 2D anode array integrated in a custom designed Read Out Integrated Circuit (MIRA: Microchannel plate Readout ASIC), able to reach unprecedented performance in terms of dynamic range combined with spatial resolution close to 30μm. Each pixel contains an anode to collect the electrons emitted by the MCP, a low noise amplifier and filter to maximize the SNR, a comparator to recognize and count single photon events, logic to correct for charge sharing among pixels (CSCL) and two counters. Some preliminary characterization of the first prototype, based on a demonstrator of the MIRA ASIC, 32×32 pixels, 35×35μm2 size, for a total chip area of 2×2mm2, integrated into a standard demountable MCP intensifier, have been carried out.
Presenter
INAF - Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica cosmica Milano (Italy)
MU has been Staff Researcher at CNR-IASF (now INAF-IASF) sez.Milano Since 2001
She has been involved in the design and development of Astronomical instrumentation:
- Co-Investigator of Metis for the ESA M1 mission Solar Orbiter
- Team member of the X-IFU instrument onboard ATHENA, ESA L-class mission
- Several proposals/phase A and B study for astronomical instruments: SXI (Soft X-ray imager) for EXIST (2009-2010), LED (Low Energy Detector) for NHXM (2009), XIAO for SVOM (2008), FCU (Field Camera Unit) for WSO-UV (2007), UVISS (Ultra-Violet Italian Sky Surveyor) (1998-2003)
She also worked on detectors R&D:
- Microchannel Plates
- photon counting Intensified Active Pixel Sensor and CCDs
- nanostructured materials for wavelength shifting and polarimetry
- Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) with picoseconds timing accuracy
- CZT