ASICs and readout system for a multi mpixel single photon UV imaging detector capable of space applications

Abstract

Large aperture MCP based UV single photon imaging detectors are commonly used in space applications and are under consideration for potential future NASA missions, such as LUVOIR, HABEX, and CETUS. For future space exploration missions, a particular interest resides in state of the art detectors with a large geometrical acceptance, spatial resolution in micro-meters, and able to operate at MHz counting rates. We are developing an imaging UV single photon detector with an aperture of 50 x 50 mm2, and ASIC chips which enabled the construction of it’s readout system. The system is composed of fast, low noise and low power 16 channel CSA amplifier ASICs, and 16 channel GSPS waveform sampling and digitizing ASICs. The detector and readout system are currently under evaluation. This paper presents the ASICs, readout system design, and first results from the detector.