For large-scale applications, hybrid pixel detectors, in which sensor and read-out chip are separate entities, constitute the state of the art in pixel detector technology to date. They have been ...developed and start to be used as tracking detectors and also imaging devices in radiography, autoradiography, protein crystallography and in X-ray astronomy. A number of trends and possibilities for future applications in these fields with improved performance, less material, high read-out speed, large radiation tolerance, and potential off-the-shelf availability have appeared and are momentarily advanced to greater maturity. Among them are monolithic or semi-monolithic approaches which do not require complicated hybridization but come as single sensor/IC entities. Most of these are presently still in the development phase waiting to be used as detectors in experiments. The present state in pixel detector development including hybrid and (semi-) monolithic pixel techniques and their suitability for particle detection and for imaging, is reviewed.
3D technologies are investigated for the upgrade of the ATLAS pixel detector at the HL-LHC. R&D focuses on both, IC design in 3D, as well as on post-processing 3D technologies such as Through Silicon ...Via (TSV). The first one uses a so-called via first technology, featuring the insertion of small aspect ratio TSV at the pixel level. As discussed in the paper, this technology can still present technical challenges for the industrial partners. The second one consists of etching the TSV via last. This technology is investigated to enable 4-side abuttable module concepts, using today's pixel detector technology. Both approaches are presented in this paper and results from first available prototypes are discussed.
A novel signal processing concept for X-ray imaging with directly converting pixelated semiconductor sensors is presented. The novelty of this approach compared to existing concepts is the ...combination of charge integration and photon counting in every single pixel. Simultaneous operation of both signal processing chains extends the dynamic range beyond the limits of the individual schemes and allows determination of the mean photon energy. Medical applications such as X-ray computed tomography can benefit from this additional spectral information through improved contrast and the ability to determine the hardening of the tube spectrum due to attenuation by the scanned object. A prototype chip in 0.35-micrometer technology has been successfully tested. The pixel electronics are designed using a low-swing differential current mode logic. Key element is a configurable feedback circuit for the charge sensitive amplifier which provides continuous reset, leakage current compensation and replicates the input signal for the integrator. This paper will discuss measurement results of the prototype structures and give details on the circuit design
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