An 8 x 8 pixel IC for X-ray spectroscopy

An integrated circuit (IC) providing 64 channels of low-noise signal proces sing electronics in an 8 x 8 pixel arrangement has been developed as part o f an integrated silicon detector array for high count-rate X-ray spectrosco py applications. Each pixel features low-noise charge integration, programm able peaking time and gain, and an output driver. The 8 x 8 pixel IC builds upon our previous development of the XPS chip, a 1-dimensional (1-D) pream plifier-shaper IC for linear silicon detector arrays. The new pixel design features significant improvements to the shaper and output driver stages, i ncluding digital peaking time and gain selection, and a low-power charge dr iver/receiver design. When operated with a cooled, low-capacitance silicon detector, an energy resolution of similar to 210 eV FWHM was obtained for 5 .89 keV X-rays. The power dissipation is similar to6 mW per pixel at a supp ly voltage of 3.3 V.