Energy Resolution Research Articles

Monte Carlo simulation of photo-peak efficiency response function and calculation of total efficiency for a NaI (Tl) scintillator detector

Abstract NaI (Tl) scintillation detectors are widely used in laboratories and in the field of gamma-ray spectrometry where detector efficiency is a key factor for successful quantitative γ ray analysis. In this work, Monte Carlo simulations using MCNPX code have been performed in order to evaluate energy resolution as a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak and absolute efficiency of NaI detectors. Also, the detection efficiency and energy resolution for the NaI (Tl) scintillation detector of Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) pollution monitoring laboratory was measured. Simulation results were compared to experimental data and good agreement are obtained. In radioactive analyzing laboratory, precise determination of the detector efficiency according to any different gamma energy is a very important parameter whereas it uses in daily laboratory work.

Elimination of dead layer in silicon particle detectors via induced electric field based charge collection

The front surface of semiconductor particle detectors typically contains undepleted recombination active regions that the impinging particles pass through before reaching the sensitive area of the device. These so-called dead layers pose a fundamental limitation for achievable energy resolutions and are unavoidable in externally doped pn-junction detectors. Here, we fabricate a silicon particle detector using an alternative method for charge collection that extends the sensitive region to the front surface of the device and minimizes the dead layer. The junction is realized by inducing an electric field at the surface of the detector using a charged thin film. Such an approach has previously been implemented in photodiodes, which have demonstrated effective collection of charge carriers from the very surface of the devices. Our detector displays low leakage currents and recombination, which allow efficient charge collection throughout the device, as demonstrated by excellent internal quantum efficiency of the device. The detector is further characterized using detection of alpha particles as a case example. We achieve 20 keV energy resolutions that are, already without extensive device optimization, on the same level with commercial externally doped silicon particle detectors. Notably, the design shows promise for detection of shallow penetrating charged particles, which is very sensitive to dead layers.

Spin-valley locked excited states spectroscoy in a one-particle bilayer graphene quantum dot

Current semiconductor qubits rely either on the spin or on the charge degree of freedom to encode quantum information. By contrast, in bilayer graphene the valley degree of freedom, stemming from the crystal lattice symmetry, is a robust quantum number that can therefore be harnessed for this purpose. The simplest implementation of a valley qubit would rely on two states with opposite valleys as in the case of a single-carrier bilayer graphene quantum dot immersed in a small perpendicular magnetic field (B⊥ ≲ 100 mT). However, the single-carrier quantum dot excited states spectrum has not been resolved to date in the relevant magnetic field range. Here, we fill this gap, by measuring the parallel and perpendicular magnetic field dependence of this spectrum with an unprecedented resolution of 4 μeV. We use a time-resolved charge detection technique that gives us access to individual tunnel events. Our results come as a direct verification of the predicted spectrum and establish a new upper-bound on inter-valley mixing, equal to our energy resolution. Our charge detection technique opens the door to measuring the relaxation time of a valley qubit in a single-carrier bilayer graphene quantum dot.

Design and Performance of an InAs Quantum Dot Scintillator with Integrated Photodetector

A new scintillation material composed of InAs quantum dots (QDs) hosted within a GaAs matrix was developed, and its performance with different types of radiation is evaluated. A methodology for designing an integrated photodetector (PD) with a low defect density and that is optically matched to the QD’s emission spectrum is introduced, utilizing an engineered epitaxial InAlGaAs metamorphic buffer layer. The photoluminescence (PL) collection efficiency of the integrated PD is examined using two-dimensional scanning laser excitation. The detector response to 5.5 MeV α-particles and 122 keV photons is presented. Yields of 13 electrons/keV for α-particles and 30–60 electrons/keV for photons were observed. The energy resolution of 12% observed with α-particles was mainly limited by noise- and geometry-related optical losses. The radiation hardness of an InAs QDs hosted within GaAs and a wider band gap AlGaAs ternary alloy was studied under a 1 MeV proton implantation up to a 1014 cm−2 dose. The integrated PL responses were compared to evaluate PL quenching due to non-radiative defects. The QDs embedded in the AlGaAs demonstrated improved radiation hardness compared to QDs in the GaAs matrix and in the InGaAs quantum wells.

Performance Characteristics of a New Generation 148-cm Axial Field-of-View uMI Panorama GS PET/CT System with Extended NEMA NU 2-2018 and EARL Standards.

The uMI Panorama GS PET/CT system is a new long-axial-field-of-view scanner featuring high sensitivity, time-of-flight (TOF) resolution, spatial resolution, and count rate performance. The aim of this study is to assess the PET system on the basis of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU 2-2018 and European Association of Nuclear Medicine Research Limited (EARL) standards. Methods: Spatial resolution, count rate performance, sensitivity, accuracy, image quality, TOF resolution, and coregistration accuracy were evaluated following the NEMA NU 2-2018 standard. Additional experiments included energy resolution, 200-cm-long line sources for sensitivity, a 175-cm-long scatter phantom for count rate and TOF resolution, as well as the compliance with the EARL guideline. Moreover, an 18F-FDG PET patient study was reconstructed with various frame durations. Results: The PET system achieved sub-3-mm transaxial and axial spatial resolutions at a 1-cm radial offset. The sensitivities with the 70-cm-long and 200-cm-long line sources were observed to be 176.3 and 90.8 kcps/MBq, respectively, at the center of the field of view. The noise-equivalent count rates (NECRs) of the 70-cm-long and 175-cm-long scatter phantoms were measured to be 3.35 Mcps at 57.57 kBq/mL and 2.24 Mcps at 33.27 kBq/mL, respectively. The TOF resolutions for both phantoms were approximately 189 ps at 5.3 kBq/mL and lower than 200 ps below the NECR peaks. The absolute count rate errors of all 34 acquisitions were less than 3% below the NECR peak for the 70-cm-long scatter phantom. With the standard NEMA image quality phantom experiment, the contrast recovery coefficient varied from 68.17% to 94.20% and the background variabilities were all below 2%. The maximum PET/CT coregistration error was 1.33 mm. Regarding EARL compliance, the gaussian filter of 5-mm full width at half maximum could produce acceptable images. The patient data demonstrate visually satisfactory image quality with short frames (less than 1 min). Conclusion: The uMI Panorama GS exhibits spatial resolution and TOF resolution similar to those of the uMI Panorama system (35-cm axial field of view), despite the extended axial field of view. The 148-cm axial coverage, sub-200-ps TOF resolution, high sensitivity, and count rate performances are expected to yield superior image quality and offer new opportunities for various clinical applications.

A Chlorine based detector (LaCl3(Ce)) for 2.5 MeV neutron spectroscopy in deuterium nuclear fusion plasmas with enhanced particle discrimination algorithm

Abstract Neutron Emission Spectroscopy is an effective nuclear fusion plasma diagnostics technique for diagnosing the fuel ion populations on fusion plasma experiments. The state of the art 2.5 MeV neutron spectrometer for deuterium plasmas is based on the time of flight (TOF) technique, which however requires the development of large scale instruments. In the last years, compact detectors made with Chlorine based scintillators have been explored. In these instruments, neutron detection is based on the 35Cl(n,p)35S nuclear reaction, which results in a Gaussian peak in the recorded neutron energy spectrum. In this context, one option is offered by CLYC scintillators, which have the drawback of a limited counting rate capability (a few tens of kHz). Another option is offered by the LaCl3:(Ce) scintillators, which combine a comparable energy resolution and, most importantly, a faster signal (<1 μs) enabling measurements at higher counting rates. On the other hand, LaCl3 has a more challenging particle discrimination. The standard method based on pulse shape analysis provides a limited particle identification and poses restrictions in the counting rate capability of the instruments. An innovative particle identification algorithm based on Fourier Transforms has been developed providing higher accuracy and effectiveness. In this paper, we present the performance of a 2.5 MeV neutron spectrometer based on a LaCl3 scintillator in terms of pulse shape discrimination and energy resolution. Results are used to discuss their use for neutron spectroscopy applications in tokamak plasmas.

Investigation of Hf/Ti bilayers for the development of transition-edge sensor microcalorimeters.

The superconducting properties of 85 nm thick hafnium thin films with a 5 nm thick titanium layer on top have been investigated for three different geometries, that is, a film covering the entire 7 × 7 mm2 chip surface, bridges with a width of 200 μm and length up to 1800 μm, and bridges in the form of squares with sides from 100 to 1000 μm. The bridges were formed by a photolithographic lift-off process and are intended to be used as the main sensing element of a microcalorimeter based on a transition-edge sensor (TES) in experiments to determine the magnetic moment of neutrinos. Based on the measurements of the critical current, the critical temperature, and the width of the superconducting transition, we estimate the energy resolution δE of the TES prototypes, showing that it is possible to fabricate microcalorimeters with δE less than 1 eV using these films.

Unveiling the Monoclinic Phase in CsPbBr3-xClx Perovskite Crystals, Phase Transition Suppression and High Energy Resolution γ-Ray Detection.

All-inorganic CsPbBr3 and CsPbCl3 perovskites are promising materials for high-performance solar cells and advanced radiation detection technologies with high stability. Here we report that CsPbBr3-xClx (x = 0-3) crystals exhibit eutectoid behavior for the melting points and phase transition temperatures. The well-known halide perovskite cubic phase transition temperature shifts near room temperature (∼37 °C for CsPbBr2Cl). We conducted an extensive crystallographic analysis on single crystals of 7 different compositions, including the end members CsPbBr3 and CsPbCl3. Contrary to previous beliefs, we discovered they exhibit a monoclinic structure with space group symmetry P21/m at room temperature, rather than the orthorhombic Pnma. This new structural model is more precise and features a unit cell volume that is four times larger than that of the orthorhombic model. From high-quality single crystals of CsPbBr2Cl, grown by the Bridgman method, we constructed γ-ray detectors achieving an energy resolution of 7.2% at 200 V for 57Co radiation. Thermally stimulated current spectroscopy of the CsPbBr2Cl samples revealed that the defect densities in crystals from different regions of the ingot were relatively uniform, with values of ∼4.72 × 1012 and ∼5.09 × 1012 cm-3. These findings indicate that low deep-level defect densities can be achieved that are consistent with the notable performance of the CsPbBr2Cl perovskite as a high-energy γ radiation detector.

Interface Energy‐Level Reorganization for Efficient Perovskite γ‐Ray Detectors

AbstractMetal halide perovskites are promising candidates for gamma‐ray (γ‐ray) spectrum detectors. However, achieving high‐resolution energy spectra in single‐photon pulse‐height analysis mode remains challenging, due to the inevitable leakage currents degrade the recognizable fingerprint energies which is critical for resolving γ‐ray spectroscopy. We demonstrate under high bias voltage, a deficient contact barrier can lead to excessive surface charge injection, thereby increasing leakage current from electrodes to perovskites. Hence, we conceive to employ surface ligand engineering on perovskite single crystals to manipulate energy levels to suppress leakage current. In particular, anchoring a strong dipole ligand onto the perovskite induced surface charge‐density displacement, leading to a downward band bending and heightened the corresponding contact barrier. Consequently, the strategy minimized the detectors’ leakage current by an order of magnitude, to as low as 44 nA cm−2 at −100 V. The resulting detectors show a significant improvement in energy resolution, 3.9 % for 22Na 511 keV γ‐rays has been achieved at room temperature. The resulting detector further resolves each fingerprint energy for 152Eu γ‐spectrum, representing one of the best γ‐rays perovskite detectors reported to date. Moreover, the detectors exhibited stabilized energy resolution without any degradation under a continuous electric field (1,000 V cm−1) for over 300 minutes, representing the longest longevity reported to date.

Data analysis procedures to improve energy resolution in silicon detectors using GET electronics

This study primarily focuses on improving the energy resolution of Double-Sided Silicon Strip Detectors (DSSSD) through optimized data analysis procedures using General Electronics for Time Projection Chambers (GET). We introduce two edge identification algorithms that demonstrate comparable efficacy. These methods are subsequently integrated with various techniques for measuring pulse amplitude, including sample smoothing and pole-zero cancellation. Notably, sample smoothing significantly enhances performances, achieving a resolution of 0.33% with DSSSD α calibration data. Additionally, we describe and apply the trapezoidal filter, examining its impact on resolution improvement and obtaining comparable results. The study also evaluates how internal GET parameters, specifically the sampling frequency and the shaping time of the Sallen-Key (SK) low-pass filter, affect signal resolution. Higher sampling frequencies and lower values of the SK filter were found to increase performance.

Simulation of light environments inside lunar holes and their associated subsurface caverns

Vertical holes of several tens of meters in diameter and depth have been discovered on the Moon, potentially serving as skylights into subsurface volcanic caverns resembling lava tubes. Because of their scientific importance and potential for use as future lunar bases, these lunar holes and caverns are expected to be targets of intensive exploration in the near future. Using numerical simulations, this study investigates the light environment within a directly and/or indirectly sunlit subsurface cavern accessed through a skylight hole. We specifically analyze the Mare Tranquillitatis Hole (MTH), one of the largest lunar vertical holes, situated near the Moon's nearside meridian. The floor and walls of the hole, and the walls and ceiling of its associated subsurface cavern are lit by reflected sunlight from other parts of the hole and cavern, such as the floors, depending on the solar elevation angle. Furthermore, this paper presents estimation results for camera imaging for a case in which solar elevation angle is 45° in the morning, which is appropriate timing for exploration. Assuming reflectance of 0.1 for the lunar hole and cavern surfaces, we estimate the incident energy onto each pixel of a camera as it descends to the hole's floor. We specifically simulate conditions for a camera with a 12-bit dynamic range, similar to the wide-angle optical navigation camera (ONC-W) onboard the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft. The results suggest that a camera with a fixed gain would struggle to capture both directly and indirectly sunlit areas simultaneously, without saturating bright areas and ensuring minimum incident energy resolution (say, a 10 digital number) for darker areas. To overcome this challenge, adjusting the camera gain based on the hole's and cavern's illumination conditions is necessary.Graphical abstract

Microstructure evolution of CdZnTe crystals irradiated by heavy ions

Consideration of irradiation effects is important for in-orbit operation and radiation protection in aerospace applications. The configuration of irradiation defects and their impact on deteriorating the carrier transport properties of CZT crystals need to be clarified. In this study, the microdefect evolution mechanism of CdZnTe (CZT) crystals under 10 MeV Chlorine (Cl) ion irradiation at flux of 1×1010∼1×1012 n·cm-2 are investigated. The stacking faults first appear in the CZT crystal at 4.5×10-4 displacement per atom (dpa), which are categorized into slip-type, gap-type and vacancy-type. In order to hinder the further expansion of stacking fault, S-shaped stacking fault dipole appears. When the dpa reaches 4.5×10-2, the local phase transition occurs in the damage zone to form CuPt-A ordered phase with ZnTe/CdTe periodic arrangement because the fluctuation in local composition and strain caused by cascade collisions. The deterioration of electric field distribution and charge collection caused by irradiation damage layer leads to the decrease of γ-ray detection ability. The energy resolution (ER) of the CZT detector for γ-ray can be maintained at 30.6% when the ion flux accumulates to 1×1012 n·cm-2, revealing high irradiation hardness. Consequently, these findings provide a theoretical basis for the radiation damage recovery of CZT detectors, further demonstrating that CZT crystals are the most competitive new generation of room-temperature nuclear radiation detection materials, and can provide radiation protection strategies for similar compound semiconductor materials.

An indirect geometry crystal time-of-flight spectrometer for FRM II

We present a concept for an indirect geometry crystal time-of-flight spectrometer, which we propose for a source similar to the FRM-II reactor in Garching. Recently, crystal analyzer spectrometers at modern spallation sources have been proposed and are under construction. The secondary spectrometers of these instruments are evolutions of the flat cone multi-analyzer for three-axis spectrometers (TAS). The instruments will provide exceptional reciprocal space coverage and intensity to map out the excitation landscape in novel materials. We will discuss the benefits of combining a time-of-flight primary spectrometer with a large crystal analyzer spectrometer at a continuous neutron source. The dynamical range can be very flexibly matched to the requirements of the experiment without sacrificing the neutron intensity. At the same time, the chopper system allows a quasi-continuous variation of the initial energy resolution. The neutron delivery system of the proposed instrument is based on the novel nested mirror optics, which images neutrons from the position of the pulse cutting chopper representing a bright virtual source onto the sample. The spot size of less than 1 cm × 1 cm at the virtual source allows the realization of very short neutron pulses by the choppers, while the small and well-defined spot size at the sample position provides an excellent energy resolution of the secondary spectrometer.

MKIDGen3: Energy-resolving, single-photon-counting microwave kinetic inductance detector readout on a radio frequency system-on-chip.

Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) are superconducting detectors capable of single-photon counting with energy resolution across the ultraviolet, optical, and infrared (UVOIR) spectrum with microsecond timing precision. MKIDs are also multiplexable, providing a feasible way to create large-format, cryogenic arrays for sensitive imaging applications in biology, astronomy, and quantum information. Building large, cryogenic MKID arrays requires processing highly multiplexed, wideband readout signals in real time; this task has previously required large, heavy, and power-intensive custom electronics. In this work, we present the third-generation UVOIR MKID readout system (Gen3), which is capable of reading out twice as many detectors with an order of magnitude lower power, weight, volume, and cost-per-pixel as compared to the previous system. Gen3 leverages the Xilinx RFSoC4x2 platform to read out 2048, 1MHz MKID channels per board. The system takes a modern approach to FPGA design using Vitis High-Level Synthesis to specify signal processing blocks in C/C++, Vivado ML intelligent design runs to inform implementation strategy and close timing, and Python productivity for Zynq to simplify interacting with and programming the FPGA using Python. This design suite and tool flow allows general users to contribute to and maintain the design and positions Gen3 to rapidly migrate to future platforms as they become available. In this work, we describe the system requirements, design, and implementation. We also provide performance characterization details and show that the system achieves detector-limited resolving power in the case of few readout tones and minimal degradation with all 2048 tones. Planned upgrades and future work are also discussed. The Gen3 MKID readout system is fully open-source and is expected to facilitate future array scaling to megapixel-sized formats and increase the feasibility of deploying UVOIR MKIDs in space.

Effect of NO annealing on radiation detection performance of Ni/SiO2/4H-SiC MOS capacitors

In this study, Ni/SiO2/4H-SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices were fabricated, achieving high-energy resolution for alpha particle radiation detection. The SiO2/4H-SiC interface was treated with two different methods: i) annealing in N2 environment, ii) annealing in NO environment. Devices manufactured using the former method show lower dark currents than the latter. This difference is due to a decrease in trap density at the SiO2/4H-SiC interface caused by NO annealing, resulting in a higher barrier height for the device. The NO-30 exhibited a much higher energy resolution of 0.46%@5486 keV compared to 0.95%@5486 keV observed in N2-30, despite both devices exhibiting good energy linearity in response to alpha particles. The SiO2/4H-SiC interface trap density revealed a significant decrease after NO treatment, indicating NO treatment can effectively improve the electrical performance of 4H-SiC MOS devices. CCE analysis showed the NO-30 had a lower surface recombination field (13000 V/cm) compared to N2-30 (35000 V/cm), which improves the charge collection efficiency and energy resolution. This study provides a practical approach for enhancing the energy resolution of 4H-SiC MOS detectors.

Effect of temperature on the scintillation properties of pure LaCl3 and Cs2LiYCl6:Ce crystals for neutron spectroscopy

The Lunar Vehicle Radiation Dosimeters (LVRAD) project, run by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, is currently in the detector R&D phase. Its mission is to measure the radiation exposure experienced by astronauts on the lunar surface and to search for water and radioactive isotopes. This study focuses on inorganic scintillator R&D for neutron spectroscopy, which is essential for the LVRAD project. Two candidates, pure LaCl3 and Cs2LiYCl6:Ce enriched with 95% 6Li (CLYC-6) detectors, were investigated in this work. Though their neutron spectroscopy performance meets radiation hardness requirements, the temperature-dependent performance of the detectors needs to be clearly understood to ensure reliable operation in space. Therefore, the performance of pure LaCl3 and CLYC-6 detectors was investigated for working temperatures ranging from -30∘C to +50∘C. The dimensions of the scintillators used for measurements were Φ1.5 inch × 1.0 inch for pure LaCl3 and Φ1.5 inch × 1.5 inches for CLYC-6. Scintillation performance was measured using a Hamamatsu H7195 photomultiplier tube with a 500 MHz flash analog-to-digital converter. The detectors were operated in a large temperature and humidity chamber across a temperature range from -30∘C to +50∘C, and the temperature dependence of the pulse shape discrimination performance for fast and thermal neutrons was measured using pure LaCl3 and CLYC-6, respectively. The effect of the temperature on the absolute light yield, energy resolution, and decay times was also measured. Based on the results, the pure LaCl3 and CLYC-6 detectors proved suitable for neutron spectroscopy for the LVRAD project.

Phonons reveal coupled cholesterol-lipid dynamics in ternary membranes

Experimental studies of collective dynamics in lipid bilayers have been challenging due to the energy resolution required to observe these low-energy phonon-like modes. However, inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS) measurements — a technique for probing vibrations in soft and biological materials — are now possible with sub-meV resolution, permitting direct observation of low energy, phonon-like modes in lipid membranes. Here, IXS measurements with sub-meV energy resolution reveal a low-energy optic-like phonon mode at roughly 3 meV in the liquid-ordered (Lo) and liquid-disordered (Ld) phases of a ternary lipid mixture. This mode is only observed experimentally at momentum transfers greater than 5 nm−1 in the (Lo) system. A similar gapped mode is also observed in all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the same mixture, indicating that the simulations accurately represnt the fast, collective dynamics in the (Lo) phase. It’s optical nature and the Q range of the gap together suggest that the observed mode is due to the coupled motion of cholesterol-lipid pairs, separated by several hydrocarbon chains within the membrane plane. Analysis of the simulations provide molecular insight into the origin of the mode in transient, nanoscale substructures of hexagonally packed hydrocarbon chains. This nanoscale hexagonal packing was previously reported based on molecular dynamics simulations and later by NMR measurements. Here, however, the integration of IXS and MD simulations identifies a new signature of the L° substructure in the collective lipid dynamics, thanks to the recent confluence of IXS sensitivity and MD simulation capabilities.

Remark on a promising subtraction readout for pixelated CZT detectors

A new method is presented to improve the spectral performance in pixelated CZT detectors which have large ratios of pixel size to thickness. The concept is using the subtraction signal of adjacent pixels to closely emulate the function of coplanar configuration. This short note is devoted to a discussion of this promising way. The principle and associated electronics of subtraction readout are introduced. The feasibility of this method was investigated by using a self-developed simulation platform. The preliminary experimental results showed that this method can significantly improve the energy resolution of pixelated CZT detectors with large ratios of pixel size to thickness.

Performance Investigations of Two Channel Readout Configurations on the Cross-Strip Cadmium Zinc Telluride Detector.

In a detector system where the number of channels exceeds the number of channels available on an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), there is a need to configure channels among multiple ASICs to achieve the lowest electronic noise and highest count rate. In this work, two board configurations were designed to experimentally assess which one provides the more favorable performance. In the half-half configuration, contiguous channels from one edge to the center of CZT detector are read by one ASIC, and the other half are read by the other ASIC. In the alternate configuration, the CZT channels are read by alternating ASICs. A lower electronic noise level, better FWHM energy resolution performance (5.35% ± 1.08% compared to 7.84% ± 0.98%), and higher count rate was found for the anode electrode strips with half-half configuration. Cross-talk between ASICs and deadtime play a role in the different performances, and the total count rate of the half-half configuration has a count rate 18.1% higher than that of the alternate configuration.

Laboratory and beam-test performance study of a 55 µm pitch iLGAD sensor bonded to a Timepix3 readout chip

This contribution reports on characterisation results of a large-area (2 cm2) small pitch (55 µm) inverse Low-Gain Avalanche Detector (iLGAD), bonded to a Timepix3 readout chip. The ilGAD sensors were produced by Micron Semiconductor Ltd with the goal to obtain good gain uniformity and maximise the fill-factor — an issue present with standard small-pitch LGAD designs. We have conducted detailed performance evaluations using both X-ray calibrations and beam tests. An X-ray fluorescence setup has been used to obtain energy calibration and to identify the optimal operating settings of the new devices, whereas the extensive beam tests allowed for a detailed evaluation of the detector performance. The beam-tests were performed at the CERN SPS North Area H6 beamline, using a 120 GeV/c pion beam. The reference tracking and time-stamping is achieved by a Timepix3-based beam telescope setup.The results show a gain of around 5 with very good uniformity, measured across the whole gain area, as well as a hit time resolution down to 1.3 ns without correcting for the time-walk effects. Furthermore, it is shown that the gain opens the possibility of a good X-ray energy resolution down to 4.5 keV.