High-performance, broadband, large-area, monolithic CMOS X-ray sensors

Scientific CMOS active pixel sensors promise a number of advantages over conventional charge-coupled devices as X-ray sensors for high-energy astrophysics. These include substantially higher frame-rate, lower power consumption, smaller and lighter support electronics, improved radiation tolerance and higher operating temperatures. For important applications in X-ray astronomy, such as wide-field and high-throughput, high-resolution spectroscopic X-ray imaging, however, this promise has not yet been fully realized. For example, while monolithic CMOS sensors offer low noise at high frame rates, the depleted sensor volume is generally too thin to provide good quantum efficiency at energies much above ~1 keV. On the other hand, while hybrid CMOS detectors can provide thick photosensitive volumes and good high-energy detection efficiency, to date they have not demonstrated the low read noise required for good spectral resolution and detection efficiency in the crucial sub-keV band. We propose to advance the technology for low-noise, deep-depletion, large area sCMOS X-ray sensors under development by the Center for Electronic Imaging (CEI) in the United Kingdom. The CEI is a collaboration between the Open University and Teledyne/e2v, and its work to date on this technology has been sponsored by the European Space Agency. The technology is derived from a space-qualified visible-band CMOS sensor, modified to provide lower noise operation and a thick (35um) depletion volume. The CEI pixel design is being optimized for low-lag and good charge collection with the relatively large pixels (10-40 micrometers) required for future high-resolution imaging and wide-field time-domain applications. In collaboration with the CEI we propose to characterize sensor performance over a broad temperature range with the aim of understanding mechanisms governing dark current, noise and image lag. We will also measure charge collection efficiency and spectral resolution as a function of energy in the sub-keV band, and compare our results to detector simulations. Our work will guide the design and fabrication of next-generation sensors based on this technology. Our ultimate goal is to realize its potential to meet the requirements of future NASA missions on scales ranging from flagships to small missions.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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