An 8/spl times/8 pixel array IC for X-ray spectroscopy

Abstract

An integrated circuit providing 64 channels of low-noise signal processing electronics in an 8/spl times/8 pixel arrangement has been developed as part of an integrated silicon detector array for high count-rate X-ray spectroscopy applications. Each pixel features low-noise charge integration, programmable peaking time and gain, and an off-chip driver. The 8/spl times/8 pixel IC builds upon our previous development of the XPS chip, a 1-dimensional preamplifier-shaper IC for linear silicon detector arrays. The new pixel design features significant improvements to the shaper and output driver stags, including digital peaking time and gain selection, and a low-power charge driver/receiver design. When operated with a cooled, low-capacitance silicon detector, an energy resolution of /spl sim/210 eV FWHM was obtained for 5.89 keV X-rays.