A high dynamic range mcp detector front-end readout circuit and its readout method

Abstract

The invention discloses a high dynamic range MCP detector front-end readout circuit and a readout method thereof, belonging to the technical field of semiconductor image sensing, comprising a signal input module, a dynamic range extension module, a buffer module, a high-speed comparator module, a time Digital conversion module and logic circuit module; among them, the photocurrent signal from the detector enters the front-end readout circuit through the signal input module, and then integrates and expands the dynamic range through the dynamic range expansion module, and the integrated voltage signal is buffered The buffer module performs buffer processing, and then transmits to the high-speed comparator module, and the high-speed comparator module includes a first comparator and a second comparator. In the present invention, the process of judging the strength of the input signal is placed inside the pixel for processing, which does not require complicated back-end processing, simplifies the design process of the back-end circuit, and makes the overall chip structure simple, with high pixel filling ratio and chip area Good utilization.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of semiconductor image sensing, and specifically designs a high dynamic range MCP detector front-end readout circuit and a readout method thereof. Background technique [0002] Fast neutron photography technology can obtain detailed internal characteristics of materials through in-depth analysis of the object to be tested, so as to realize the function of non-destructive testing of complex objects and structures. Science and other basic science fields have a wide range of needs and applications. [0003] Single-photon detectors used in the field of fast neutron photography not only need to have single-photon sensitivity, but also need to be able to mark the photons arriving at each moment with high precision, and record the high-precision spatial two-dimensional coordinates of the photon at the same time, that is, Three-dimensional high spatiotemporal resolution detectors with single photon sensitivity are ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] In recent years, the research in the field of fast neutron radiography has attracted widespread attention from the academic community, and the scientific research results of new materials and high-performance MCP single-photon detectors have been continuously proposed internationally. The research involved is less, and the research on high-performance ASIC chips designed for MCP detector signal reading is basically blank

In addition, in the design of the traditional front-end readout circuit of the MCP detector, the performance parameter of the dynamic range is not optimized, resulting in a very small input signal range of the entire single-photon detection system, and the application field is relatively limited.

[0008] In order to give full play to the advantages of MCP's ability to detect single photons and apply it in fast neutron imaging systems, the traditional readout circuit structure cannot guarantee high-precision spatial resolution and high-precision time at the same time under high count rate conditions. Resolution ability, when the number of charges output by the MCP is too large, the traditional circuit architecture based on the charge amplifier will cause signal saturation and cannot accurately calculate the number of charges

At present, the existing readout signal processing solutions are not ideal in improving system performance such as dynamic range and resolution, and the industry has not proposed an ideal solution that can improve dynamic range and reduce chip area

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