Pixel Detector Technology Research Articles

Towards precise LET measurements based on energy deposition of therapeutic ions in Timepix3 detectors

Objective. There is an increasing interest in calculating and measuring linear energy transfer (LET) spectra in particle therapy in order to assess their impact in biological terms. As such, the accuracy of the particle fluence energy spectra becomes paramount. This study focuses on quantifying energy depositions of distinct proton, helium, carbon, and oxygen ion beams using a silicon pixel detector developed at CERN to determine LET spectra in silicon. Approach. While detection systems have been investigated in this pursuit, the scarcity of detectors capable of providing per-ion data with high spatial and temporal resolution remains an issue. This gap is where silicon pixel detector technology steps in, enabling online tracking of single-ion energy deposition. The used detector consisted of a 300 µm thick silicon sensor operated in partial depletion. Main results. During post-processing, artifacts in the acquired signals were identified and methods for their corrections were developed. Subsequently, a correlation between measured and Monte Carlo-based simulated energy deposition distributions was performed, relying on a two-step recalibration approach based on linear and saturating exponential models. Despite the observed saturation effects, deviations were confined below 7% across the entire investigated range of track-averaged LET values in silicon from 0.77 keV µm−1 to 93.16 keV µm−1. Significance. Simulated and measured mean energy depositions were found to be aligned within 7%, after applying artifact corrections. This extends the range of accessible LET spectra in silicon to clinically relevant values and validates the accuracy and reliability of the measurements. These findings pave the way towards LET-based dosimetry through an approach to translate these measurements to LET spectra in water. This will be addressed in a future study, extending functionality of treatment planning systems into clinical routine, with the potential of providing ion-beam therapy of utmost precision to cancer patients.

Comparative study of conventional and synchrotron X-ray electron densities on molecular crystals.

Five different electron density datasets obtained from conventional and synchrotron single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments are compared. The general aim of the study is to investigate the quality of data for electron density analysis from current state-of-the-art conventional sources, and to see how the data perform in comparison with high-quality synchrotron data. A molecular crystal of melamine was selected as the test compound due to its ability to form excellent single crystals, the light atom content, and an advantageous suitability factor of 3.6 for electron density modeling. These features make melamine an optimal system for conventional X-ray diffractometers since the inherent advantages of synchrotron sources such as short wavelength and high intensity are less critical in this case. Data were obtained at 100 K from new in-house diffractometers Rigaku Synergy-S (Mo and Ag source, HyPix100 detector) and Stoe Stadivari (Mo source, EIGER2 1M CdTe detector), and an older Oxford Diffraction Supernova (Mo source, Atlas CCD detector). The synchrotron data were obtained at 25 K from BL02B1 beamline at SPring-8 in Japan (λ = 0.2480 Å, Pilatus3 X 1M CdTe detector). The five datasets were compared on general quality parameters such as resolution, ⟨I/σ⟩, redundancy and R factors, as well as the more model specific fractal dimension plot and residual density maps. Comparison of the extracted electron densities reveals that all datasets can provide reliable multipole models, which overall convey similar chemical information. However, the new laboratory X-ray diffractometers with advanced pixel detector technology clearly measure data with significantly less noise and much higher reliability giving densities of higher quality, compared to the older instrument. The synchrotron data have higher resolution and lower measurement temperature, and they allow for finer details to be modeled (e.g. hydrogen κ parameters).

Detecting perturbations of a radiation field inside a head-sized phantom exposed to therapeutic carbon-ion beams through charged-fragment tracking.

Noninvasive methods to monitor carbon-ion beams in patients are desired to fully exploit the advantages of carbon-ion radiotherapy. Prompt secondary ions produced in nuclear fragmentations of carbon ions are of particular interest for monitoring purposes as they can escape the patient and thus be detected and tracked to measure the radiation field in the irradiated object. This study aims to evaluate the performance of secondary-ion tracking to detect, visualize, and localize an internal air cavity used to mimic inter-fractional changes in the patient anatomy at different depths along the beam axis. In this work, a homogeneous head phantom was irradiated with a realistic carbon-ion treatment plan with a typical prescribed fraction dose of 3Gy(RBE). Secondary ions were detected by a mini-tracker with an active area of 2 cm2 , based on the Timepix3 semiconductor pixel detector technology. The mini-tracker was placed 120mm behind the center of the target at an angle of 30 degrees with respect to the beam axis. To assess the performance of the developed method, a 2-mm thick air cavity was inserted in the head phantom at several depths: in front of as well as at the entrance, in the middle, and at the distal end of the target volume. Different reconstruction methods of secondary-ion emission profile were studied using the FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation package. The perturbations in the emission profiles caused by the air cavity were analyzed to detect the presence of the air cavity and localize its position. The perturbations in the radiation field mimicked by the 2-mm thick cavity were found to be significant. A detection significance of at least three standard deviations in terms of spatial distribution of the measured tracks was found for all investigated cavity depths, while the highest significance (six standard deviations) was obtained when the cavity was located upstream of the tumor. For a tracker with an eight-fold sensitive area, the detection significance rose to at least nine standard deviations and up to 17 standard deviations, respectively. The cavity could be detected at all depths and its position measured within 6.5 ± 1.4mm, which is sufficient for the targeted clinical performance of 10mm. The presented systematic study concerning the detection and localization of small inter-fractional structure changes in a realistic clinical setting demonstrates that secondary ions carry a large amount of information on the internal structure of the irradiated object and are thus attractive to be further studied for noninvasive monitoring of carbon-ion treatments.

Characterisation and mapping of scattered radiation fields in interventional radiology theatres

We used the Timepix3 hybrid pixel detector technology in order to determine the exposure of medical personnel to ionizing radiation in an interventional radiology room. We measured the energy spectra of the scattered radiation generated by the patient during X-ray image-guided interventional procedures. We performed measurements at different positions and heights within the theatre. We first observed a difference in fluence for each staff member. As expected, we found that the person closest to the X-ray tube is the most exposed while the least exposed staff member is positioned at the patient’s feet. Additionally, we observed a shift in energy from head to toe for practitioners, clearly indicating a non-homogenous energy exposure. The photon counting Timepix3 detector provides a new tool for radiation field characterisation that is easier-to-use and more compact than conventional X-ray spectrometers. The spectral information is particularly valuable for optimising the use of radiation protection gear and improving dosimetry surveillance programs. We also found the device very useful for training purposes to provide awareness and understanding about radiation protection principles among interventional radiology staff.

Phase-contrast x-ray tomography of neuronal tissue at laboratory sources with submicron resolution.

.Purpose: Recently, progress has been achieved in implementing phase-contrast tomography of soft biological tissues at laboratory sources. This opens up opportunities for three-dimensional (3-D) histology based on x-ray computed tomography (- and nanoCT) in the direct vicinity of hospitals and biomedical research institutions. Combining advanced x-ray generation and detection techniques with phase reconstruction algorithms, 3-D histology can be obtained even of unstained tissue of the central nervous system, as shown, for example, for biopsies and autopsies of human cerebellum. Depending on the setup, i.e., source, detector, and geometric parameters, laboratory-based tomography can be implemented at very different sizes and length scales.We investigate the extent to which 3-D histology of neuronal tissue can exploit the cone-beam geometry at high magnification using a nanofocus transmission x-ray tube (nanotube) with a 300 nm minimal spot size (Excillum), combined with a single-photon counting camera. Tightly approaching the source spot with the biopsy punch, we achieve high , high flux density, and exploit the superior efficiency of this detector technology.Approach: Different nanotube configurations such as spot size and flux, , as well as exposure time, Fresnel number, and coherence are varied and selected in view of resolution, field of view, and/or phase-contrast requirements.Results: The data show that the information content for the cytoarchitecture is enhanced by the phase effect. Comparison of results to those obtained at a microfocus rotating-anode x-ray tomography setup with a high-resolution detector, i.e., in low- geometry, reveals similar to slightly superior data quality for the nanotube setup. In addition to its compactness, reduced power consumption by a factor of , and shorter scan duration, the particular advantage of the nanotube setup also lies in its suitability for pixel detector technology, enabling an increased range of opportunities for applications in laboratory phase-contrast x-ray tomography.Conclusions: The phase retrieval scheme utilized mixes amplitude and phase contrast, with results being robust with respect to reconstruction parameters. Structural information content is comparable to slightly superior to previous results achieved with a microfocus rotating-anode setup but can be obtained in shorter scan time. Beyond advantages as compactness, lowered power consumption, and flexibility, the nanotube setup’s scalability in view of the progress in pixel detector technology is particularly beneficial. Further progress is thus likely to bring 3-D virtual histology to the performance in scan time and throughput required for clinical practice in neuropathology.

Development of a charge pump for sensor biasing in a Serial Powering scheme for the ATLAS pixel detector upgrade

CMOS monolithic pixel detector technology is one of the options considered for the outer layer of an upgraded ATLAS pixel detector in 2026. In this upgrade pixel detector modules will be powered in series by a constant current source to reduce power losses and material budget. On-chip shunt regulators generate the local 1.8 V supply voltage from the input current to provide power to the integrated circuits. The sensor bias for monolithic sensors is often limited and not sufficiently large to allow a common bias for all sensors in the serial powering chain. In this paper, we give an introduction to the serial powering strategy for CMOS detectors with emphasis on the design and simulation results of a regulated charge pump circuit for sensor biasing. Two prototypes operating with a pumping frequency of 640 MHz, one with 6-stages and one with 19-stages, were designed and fabricated in a modified TowerJazz 0.18 μm CMOS imaging technology to provide negative bias down to − 6 V and − 20 V, respectively. Simulation results demonstrate good performance of the charge pump circuit which could be used to bias the CMOS sensor.

Pixel readout chip software emulators for the YARR DAQ system upgrade

The Yet Another Rapid Readout (YARR) system is a DAQ system designed for pixel readout chips including the current generation ATLAS FE-I4 chip and the next generation RD53A chip, which is part of the development of new Pixel detector technology to be implemented in High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider experiments. YARR utilises a PCI-e FPGA card which acts as a simple gateway to pipe all data from pixel readout chips via the high speed PCI-e connection into the host system’s memory. All data processing is done on a software level in the host CPU(s), utilising a data-driven, multi-threaded, parallel processing paradigm. YARR has recently been upgraded to interface with software emulators of pixel readout chips. These emulators offer many benefits: quick development of DAQ software; expansion of the developer base to users without access to readout hardware; preparation of DAQ software for upcoming readout chips, such as RD53A; implementation of Continuous Integration and unit tests to ensure code quality and maintainability. The design and capabilities of the FE-I4 and RD53A software emulators will be presented.

Noise propagation issues in Belle II pixel detector power cable

The vertex detector used in the upgrade of High-Energy physics experiment Belle II includes DEPFET pixel detector (PXD) technology. In this complex topology the power supply units and the front-end electronics are connected through a PXD power cable bundle which may propagate the output noise from the power supplies to the vertex area. This paper presents a study of the propagation of noise caused by power converters in the PXD cable bundle based on Multi-conductor Transmission Line (MTL) theory. The work exposes the effect of the complex cable topology and shield connections on the noise propagation, which has an impact on the requirements of the power supplies. This analysis is part of the electromagnetic compatibility based design focused on functional safety to define the shield connections and power supply specifications required to ensure the successful integration of the detector and, specifically, to achieve the designed performance of the front-end electronics.

Properties of GaAs:Cr-based Timepix detectors

The hybrid pixel detector technology brought to the X-ray imaging a low noise level at a high spatial resolution, thanks to the single photon counting. However, silicon as the most widespread detector material is marginally sensitive to photons with energies above 30 keV. Therefore, the high-Z alternatives to silicon such as gallium arsenide and cadmium telluride are increasingly attracting attention of the community for the development of X-ray imaging systems. The results of our investigations of the Timepix detectors bump bonded to sensors made of gallium arsenide compensated by chromium (GaAs:Cr) are presented in this work. The following properties are most important from the practical point of view: the IV characteristics, the charge transport characteristics, photon detection efficiency, operational stability, homogeneity, temperature dependence, as well as energy and spatial resolution are considered. The applicability of these detectors for spectroscopic X-ray imaging is discussed.

Studies of the possibility to use Gas Pixel Detector as a fast trigger tracking device

Gas Pixel Detector (GPD) technology offers new possibilities, which make them very attractive for application in existing and future accelerator experiments and beyond. GPDs combine advantages of silicon and gaseous detectors. They can be produced radiation hard and with low power consumption using relatively cheap technology. Low capacitance of the individual pixel channel allows us to obtain a large signal to noise ratio. Using a time projection method for GPD readout one obtains 3D track image with precise coordinate (31 µm) and angular information (0.40°). This feature would allow us to achieve performance of one GPD layer equal to a few layers of silicon detectors. Implementation of a fast readout and data processing at the front-end level allows one to reconstruct a track segment in less than 1 μs, and to use this information for the first level trigger generation. The relevant algorithms of data acquisition and analysis are described and the results of simulations are presented in this paper.

Review of hybrid pixel detector readout ASICs for spectroscopic X-ray imaging

Semiconductor detector readout chips with pulse processing electronics have made possible spectroscopic X-ray imaging, bringing an improvement in the overall image quality and, in the case of medical imaging, a reduction in the X-ray dose delivered to the patient. In this contribution we review the state of the art in semiconductor-detector readout ASICs for spectroscopic X-ray imaging with emphasis on hybrid pixel detector technology. We discuss how some of the key challenges of the technology (such as dealing with high fluxes, maintaining spectral fidelity, power consumption density) are addressed by the various ASICs. In order to understand the fundamental limits of the technology, the physics of the interaction of radiation with the semiconductor detector and the process of signal induction in the input electrodes of the readout circuit are described. Simulations of the process of signal induction are presented that reveal the importance of making use of the small pixel effect to minimize the impact of the slow motion of holes and hole trapping in the induced signal in high-Z sensor materials. This can contribute to preserve fidelity in the measured spectrum with relatively short values of the shaper peaking time. Simulations also show, on the other hand, the distortion in the energy spectrum due to charge sharing and fluorescence photons when the pixel pitch is decreased. However, using recent measurements from the Medipix3 ASIC, we demonstrate that the spectroscopic information contained in the incoming photon beam can be recovered by the implementation in hardware of an algorithm whereby the signal from a single photon is reconstructed and allocated to the pixel with the largest deposition.

The CLIC Vertex Detector

The precision physics needs at TeV-scale linear electron-positron colliders (ILC and CLIC) require a vertex-detector system with excellent flavour-tagging capabilities through a measurement of displaced vertices. This is essential, for example, for an explicit measurement of the Higgs decays to pairs of b-quarks, c-quarks and gluons. Efficient identification of top quarks in the decay t → Wb will give access to the ttH-coupling measurement. In addition to those requirements driven by physics arguments, the CLIC bunch structure calls for hit timing at the few-ns level. As a result, the CLIC vertex-detector system needs to have excellent spatial resolution, full geometrical coverage extending to low polar angles, extremely low material budget, low occupancy facilitated by time-tagging, and sufficient heat removal from sensors and readout. These considerations challenge current technological limits. A detector concept based on hybrid pixel-detector technology is under development for the CLIC vertex detector. It comprises fast, low-power and small-pitch readout ASICs implemented in 65 nm CMOS technology (CLICpix) coupled to ultra-thin planar or active HV-CMOS sensors via low-mass interconnects. The power dissipation of the readout chips is reduced by means of power pulsing, allowing for a cooling system based on forced gas flow. This contribution reviews the requirements and design optimisation for the CLIC vertex detector and gives an overview of recent R&D achievements in the domains of sensors, readout and detector integration.

Status and Physics Opportunities of the STAR Heavy Flavor Tracker and the Muon Telescope Detector Upgrades

The STAR Collaboration will complete the Heavy Flavor Tracker (HFT) and the Muon Telescope Detector (MTD) upgrades by 2014. HFT utilizes the state-of-art active pixel detector technology, which will greatly enhance the STAR physics capabilities by measuring heavy quark yield, collectivity and correlations via the topological reconstruction of charmed hadrons over a wide momentum range. The MTD is based on the long Multi-Gap Resistive Plate Chamber detector technology designed to measure muons penetrating the bulk of other detectors and the magnet yoke. It will enable STAR to study di-muon and electron-muon correlations and enhance heavy quarkonium studies. With the addition of these upgrades, STAR is well suited to perform precise measurements of production as well as correlations of rare probes (heavy flavors, dileptons) to systematically investigate the quark-gluon plasma properties at RHIC. For Run 13 63% of the MTD has been installed and data have been taken. Prototype PXL sectors (30% coverage) have also been installed and commissioned. Anticipated physics results and current status of these upgrades is reported.

Vertex-detector R&D for CLIC

A detector concept based on hybrid planar pixel-detector technology is under development for the CLIC vertex detector. It comprises fast, low-power and small-pitch readout ASICs implemented in 65 nm CMOS technology (CLICpix) coupled to ultra-thin sensors via low-mass interconnects. The power dissipation of the readout chips is reduced by means of power pulsing, allowing for a cooling system based on forced gas flow. In this paper the CLIC vertex-detector requirements are reviewed and the current status of R&D on sensors, readout and detector integration is presented.

Experience with 3D integration technologies in the framework of the ATLAS pixel detector upgrade for the HL-LHC

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.

The Potential of Hybrid Pixel Detectors in the Search for the Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay of116Cd

We investigated the potential of the energy resolving hybrid pixel detector Timepix contacted to a CdTe sensor layer for the search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay ofCd. We found that a CdTe sensor layer with 3 mm thickness and 165 μm pixel pitch is optimal with respect to the effective Majorana neutrino mass (mββ) sensitivity. In simulations, we were able to demonstrate a possible reduction of the background level caused by single electrons by approximately 75% at a specific background rate of 10−3counts/(kg×keV×yr) at a detection efficiency reduction of about 23% with track analysis employing random decision forests. Exploitation of the imaging properties with track analysis leads to an improvement in sensitivity tomββby about 22%. After 5 years of measuring time, the sensitivity tomββof a 420 kg CdTe experiment (90%Cdenrichment) would be 59 meV on a 90% confidence level for a specific single-electron background rate of 10−3counts/(kg×keV×yr). Theα-particle background can be suppressed by at least about six orders of magnitude. The benefit of the hybrid pixel detector technology might be increased significantly if drift-time difference measurements would allow reconstruction of tracks in three dimensions.

Initial results on charge and velocity discrimination for heavy ions using silicon-Timepix detectors

The Timepix ASIC is a version of the hybrid pixel detector technology developed by the Medipix2 Collaboration [1]. Within the 256 by 256 pixel matrix, the electronics for each of the 55μm individual pixels are contained in the footprint of that pixel. The Timepix has a charge-sensitive pre-amp and an associated discriminator attached to a logic unit capable of being employed in one of several different modes. For the present work, the Time-Over-Threshold mode was used to allow measurement of deposited energy in the silicon sensor layer. The general properties of a Timepix-based device with a silicon sensor have been described in [2,3], and [4].Ionization along heavy ion particle tracks in the silicon sensor results in the production of free charge carriers in the detector. The charge carrier motion under the influence of an applied bias voltage leads to charge collection at the Timepix-sensor interface in one or more pixels. Signatures within the pixel cluster patterns are currently being examined, and initial results indicate that such signatures, when coupled with stopping power information, provide enough discrimination capability to begin to resolve heavy ion charge and velocity. Here we present the salient characteristics that have been identified for heavy ion charge and velocity discrimination using Timepix Silicon detectors and discuss the application of this method for particle track characterization.

The antiproton cell experiment—do antiprotons offer advantages over other particle beam modalities?

The use of heavy charged particles for cancer therapy has the potential for a significant improvement of the therapeutic window compared to standard X-ray treatments. This is due to the improved energy deposition profile, exhibiting a well-defined peak at a depth in target controllable by the initial energy of the beam. Particles heavier than protons in addition show an increase in biological effectiveness. Compared to protons or heavy ions, antiprotons deposit additional annihilation energy, mostly by low energy recoils, resulting in an increase of dose and also adding a component with high biological effectiveness in the target region. The relative magnitude of the physical energy deposition of antiprotons compared to protons was measured at Low Energy Antiproton Ring (LEAR) by A. Sullivan, but no study of the biological effect had been conducted prior to the Antiproton Cell Experiment (AD-4/ACE) experiment at CERN. The special conditions found at CERN present significant challenges, but also offer unique opportunities. 500 ns pulses of antiprotons are extracted from the Antiproton Decelerator (AD) at 500 MeV/c momentum. Biological cell samples are irradiated and clonogenic survival fractions are measured for various doses. To extract biological efficiency, the physical dose deposition is obtained by Monte-Carlo calculations in conjunction with shot-by-shot monitoring of the incoming beam intensity and profile using a silicon pixel detector. Also imaging of the pions resulting from antiproton annihilations in the target using silicon pixel detector technology to determine the actual range in more complex targets with strong variations in material densities was carried out. The feasibility of this technique using a novel arrangement of the detector was demonstrated. This paper describes the ACE experiment and focuses on the different detector activities within the AD-4/ACE collaboration, explaining the experimental set-up, physical and biological methods used, recent results, and future plans.

Performance of PILATUS detector technology for long-wavelength macromolecular crystallography

The long-wavelength MX beamline I23 currently under design at Diamond Light Source will be optimized in the X-ray energy range between 3 and 5 keV. At the moment no commercial off-the-shelf detector with high quantum efficiency and dynamic range is available to cover the large area required for diffraction experiments in this energy range. The hybrid pixel detector technology used in PILATUS detectors could overcome these limitations as the modular design could allow a large coverage in reciprocal space and high detection efficiency. Experiments were carried out on the Microfocus Spectroscopy beamline I18 at Diamond Light Source to test the performance of a 100K PILATUS module in the low-energy range from 2.3 to 3.7 keV.

10 years of the Medipix2 Collaboration

The Medipix2 Collaboration was started officially in September 1999 with the aim of disseminating hybrid pixel detector technology from High Energy Physics to other fields. The Collaboration was initially composed of 13 European research institutes. Over the ensuing 10 years the Collaboration expanded to reach a peak of 17 member institutes. Although our main scientific focus has been the development of the Medipix2 and Timepix single photon counting pixel detector readout chips the Collaboration members have expanded the range of applications for the technology to many more scientific fields than initially foreseen. We have signed a number of Technology Transfer Agreements during that time, most notably with PANalytical, whose commercially available PIXcel detector is based on the second version of the Medipix2 chip. This paper will review the history of the Collaboration covering as much as possible the main technical highlights. The success of the Collaboration is testimony to the willingness of a large number of groups and individuals to pool efforts for a common purpose. The paper will also cover some of those aspects and summarize the lessons learnt.