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Readout optimization of multi-amplifier sensing charge-coupled devices for single-quantum measurement

Conference ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019411· OSTI ID:2520113
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [1];  [5];  [5];  [6];  [7];  [8];  [9];  [10];  [5];  [5];  [11];  [6];  [6];  [6]
  1. Fermilab; Chicago U., Astron. Astrophys. Ctr.; Chicago U., EFI; Chicago U., KICP
  2. Fermilab; Mexico U.
  3. Fermilab; Bahia Blanca, U. Natl. Del Sur
  4. Bahia Blanca, U. Natl. Del Sur; Buenos Aires, CONICET
  5. Fermilab
  6. LBL, Berkeley
  7. Fermilab; Bahia Blanca, U. Natl. Del Sur; Asuncion Natl. U.
  8. Fermilab; Bahia Blanca, U. Natl. Del Sur; Buenos Aires, CONICET
  9. Chicago U., Astron. Astrophys. Ctr.; Chicago U., EFI; Chicago U., KICP; Chicago U.
  10. Cordoba U.
  11. LBL, Berkeley; UC, Berkeley, Astron. Dept.; LLNL, Livermore
+ Show Author Affiliations

The non-destructive readout capability of the Skipper Charge Coupled Device (CCD) has been demonstrated to reduce the noise limitation of conventional silicon devices to levels that allow single-photon or single-electron counting. The noise reduction is achieved by taking multiple measurements of the charge in each pixel. These multiple measurements come at the cost of extra readout time, which has been a limitation for the broader adoption of this technology in particle physics, quantum imaging, and astronomy applications. This work presents recent results of a novel sensor architecture that uses multiple non-destructive floating-gate amplifiers in series to achieve sub-electron readout noise in a thick, fully-depleted silicon detector to overcome the readout time overhead of the Skipper-CCD. This sensor is called the Multiple-Amplifier Sensing Charge-Coupled Device (MAS-CCD) can perform multiple independent charge measurements with each amplifier, and the measurements from multiple amplifiers can be combined to further reduce the readout noise. We will show results obtained for sensors with 8 and 16 amplifiers per readout stage in new readout operations modes to optimize its readout speed. The noise reduction capability of the new techniques will be demonstrated in terms of its ability to reduce the noise by combining the information from the different amplifiers, and to resolve signals in the order of a single photon per pixel. The first readout operation explored here avoids the extra readout time needed in the MAS-CCD to read a line of the sensor associated with the extra extent of the serial register. The second technique explore the capability of the MAS-CCD device to perform a region of interest readout increasing the number of multiple samples per amplifier in a targeted region of the active area of the device.

Research Organization:
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP) (SC-25)
DOE Contract Number:
89243024CSC000002
OSTI ID:
2520113
Report Number(s):
FERMILAB-CONF-24-0991-PPD; FERMILAB-CONF-24-0991-PPD; arXiv:2502.10508; oai:inspirehep.net:2879184
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (19)

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journal September 2021
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