X-RAY RESPONSE OF GERMANIUM MICROSTRIP DETECTORS WITH ENERGY AND POSITION RESOLUTION

Germanium diode microstrip arrays offer position-sensitive detection o f X-rays combined with energy resolution over the range 5-100 keV. As part of a programme to develop a 300 strip photon-counting detector fo r Compton scattering experiments at the ESRF, we describe the design o f a system permitting multiple high-density connections to cryogenical ly cooled detectors. We report on measurements made on two germanium m icrostrip strip detectors with approximate to 2200 mu m pitch fabricat ed using different process technologies. The position resolution and s pectral energy response of these detectors has been characterised usin g a 15 mu m wide scanning beam of monochromatic synchrotron X-rays at energies 15-100 keV. The raw data is dramatically improved by reconstr uction of split-charge events arising from X-rays absorbed between con tact strips, and energy spectra are obtained with peak/valley ratios > 2000.