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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 685 records · Page 38
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

Development of a 2K x 2K GaAs QWIP Focal Plane Array

We are developing the next generation of GaAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) focal plane arrays (FPAs) in preparation for future NASA space-borne Earth observing missions. It is anticipated that these missions will require both wider ground spatial coverage as well as higher ground imaging resolution. In order to demonstrate our capability in meeting these future goals we have taken a two-tiered approach in the next stage of advanced QWIP focal plane array development. We will describe our progress in the development of a 512 x 3,200 (512 x 3K) array format for this next generation thermal imaging array for the NASA Landsat project. However, there currently is no existing readout integrated circuit (ROIC) for this format array.so to demonstrate the ability to scale-up an existing ROIC we developed a 1,920 x 2,048 (2K x 2K) array and it hybridized to a Raytheon SB419 CTIA readout integrated circuit that was scaled up from their existing 512 x 640 SB339 ROIC. Two versions of the 512 x 3K QWIP array were fabricated to accommodate a future design scale-up of both the Indigo 9803 ROIC based on a 25 micron pixel dimension and a scale up of the Indigo 9705 ROIC based on a 30 micron pixel dimension. Neither readout for the 512 x 3K has yet to be developed but we have fabricated both versions of the array. We describe the design, development and test results of this effort as well as the specific applications these FPAs are intended to address.

Jhabvala, M.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Delta-Doped Back-Illuminated CMOS Imaging Arrays: Progress and Prospects

In this paper, we report the latest results on our development of delta-doped, thinned, back-illuminated CMOS imaging arrays. As with charge-coupled devices, thinning and back-illumination are essential to the development of high performance CMOS imaging arrays. Problems with back surface passivation have emerged as critical to the prospects for incorporating CMOS imaging arrays into high performance scientific instruments, just as they did for CCDs over twenty years ago. In the early 1990's, JPL developed delta-doped CCDs, in which low temperature molecular beam epitaxy was used to form an ideal passivation layer on the silicon back surface. Comprising only a few nanometers of highly-doped epitaxial silicon, delta-doping achieves the stability and uniformity that are essential for high performance imaging and spectroscopy. Delta-doped CCDs were shown to have high, stable, and uniform quantum efficiency across the entire spectral range from the extreme ultraviolet through the near infrared. JPL has recently bump-bonded thinned, delta-doped CMOS imaging arrays to a CMOS readout, and demonstrated imaging. Delta-doped CMOS devices exhibit the high quantum efficiency that has become the standard for scientific-grade CCDs. Together with new circuit designs for low-noise readout currently under development, delta-doping expands the potential scientific applications of CMOS imaging arrays, and brings within reach important new capabilities, such as fast, high-sensitivity imaging with parallel readout and real-time signal processing. It remains to demonstrate manufacturability of delta-doped CMOS imaging arrays. To that end, JPL has acquired a new silicon MBE and ancillary equipment for delta-doping wafers up to 200mm in diameter, and is now developing processes for high-throughput, high yield delta-doping of fully-processed wafers with CCD and CMOS imaging devices.

imagers↗
NASA NTRS2018

Development of a Robust, Efficient Process to Produce Scalable, Superconducting Kilopixel Far-IR Detector Arrays

The far-IR band is uniquely suited to study the physical conditions in the interstellar medium from nearby sources out to the highest redshifts. FIR imaging and spectroscopy instrumentation using incoherent superconducting bolometers represents a high sensitivity technology for many future suborbital and space missions, including the Origins Space Telescope. Robust, high sensitivity detector arrays with several 104 pixels, large focal plane filling factors, and low cosmic ray cross sections that operate over the entire far-IR regime are required for such missions. These arrays could consist of smaller sub-arrays, in case they are tileable. The TES based Backshort Under Grid array architecture which our group has fielded in a number of FIR cameras, is a good candidate to meet these requirements: BUGs are tileable, and with the integration of the SQUID multiplexer scaleable beyond wafer sizes; they provide high filling factors, low cosmic cross section and have been demonstrated successfully in far-infrared astronomical instrumentation. However, the production of BUGs with integrated readout multiplexers has many time and resource consuming process steps. In order to meet the requirement of robustness and efficiency on the production of future arrays, we have developed a new method to provide the superconducting connection of BUG detectors to the readout multiplexers or general readout boards behind the detectors. This approach should allow us to reach the goal to produce reliable, very large detector arrays for future FIR missions.

Staguhn, Johannes↗
NASA NTRS2020

Extension of the energy range accessible with a TES using bath temperature variations

The energy range of transition-edge sensor (TES) X-ray microcalorimeters with a multiplexed readout depends upon the width and shape of the TES superconducting transition, and also on the dynamic range of the readout. In many detector systems, the multiplexed readout slew rate capability will be the limiting factor for the energy range. In these cases, if we are willing to accept some energy resolution degradation, we can significantly extend the energy range by increasing the bath temperature of operation, essentially creating a second “extended energy range” mode of operation. For example, if we require the very highest energy resolution up to 7 keV, and wish to optimize the design up to this energy, for some measurements it could be very beneficial to have a mode where we can extend the energy range to 15–20 keV even if some energy resolution is sacrificed. In this paper, we explore the trade-off between dynamic range and energy resolution from changing the bath temperature of the TES. We present measurements of TES resolution and slew rate as a function of bath temperature and compare to numerical simulations.

S Beaumont↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Performance of a broad-band, high-resolution, transition-edge sensor spectrometer for x-ray astrophysics

Future x-ray astrophysics experiments require multiplexed readout of high-fill-factor, kilo-pixel arrays of transition-edge sensors (TESs), with very high spectral resolution over a broad range of energies. In this paper we report on a prototype kilo pixel array of Mo/Au TESs read out with 8-column by 32-row time-division multiplexing (TDM). This system is being used to demonstrate the critical detector and readout technology for ESA’s Athena X-IFU, and when complete will used to laboratory astrophysics experiments. Our array and TDM readout has demonstrated a combined energy resolution, including > 200 pixels, of: 1.95 eV for Ti-K (4.5 keV), 1.97 eV for Mn-K (5.9 keV), 2.16 eV for Co-Kα (6.9 keV), 2.33 eV for Cu-Kα (8 keV), 3.26 eV for Br-Kα (11.9 keV). The 1 sigma error is  0.01 eV for all spectra. These results meet the broad-band resolution requirements for X-IFU.

Stephen J. Smith↗
NASA NTRS2002

Superconducting kinetic inductance photon detectors.

We are investigating a novel superconducting detector and readout method that could lead to photon counting, energy resolving focal plane arrays. This concept is intrinsically different from STJ and TES detectors, and in principle could deliver large pixel counts, high sensitivity, and Fano-limited spectral resolution in the ptical/UV/X-ray bands. The readout uses the monotonic relation between the kinetic surface inductance L***subs***, of a superconductor and the density of quasiparticles n, which holds even at temperatures far below T***subc***. This allows a sensitive readout of the number of excess quasiparticles in the detector by monitoring the transmission phase of a resonant circuit. The most intriguing aspect of this concept is that passive frequency multiplexing could be used to read out ~ l0***super4*** detectors with a single HEMT amplifier. Single x-ray events have been observed in prototype detectors.

kinetic↗
NASA NTRS2020

Progress in the Development of Frequency-Domain Multiplexing for the X-ray Integral Field Unit on Board the Athena Mission

Frequency-domain multiplexing (FDM) is the baseline readout system for the X-ray Integral Field Unit on board the Athena mission. Under the FDM scheme, TESs are coupled to a passive LC filter and biased with alternating current (AC bias) at MHz frequencies. Using high-quality-factor LC filters and room-temperature electronics developed at SRON and low-noise two-stage SQUID amplifiers provided by VTT, we have recently demonstrated good performance with the FDM readout of Mo/Au TES calorimeters with Au/Bi absorbers. We have achieved a performance requested for the demonstration model with the single-pixel AC bias ( ΔE = 1.8 eV ) and nine-pixel multiplexing ( ΔE = 2.6 eV ) modes. We have also demonstrated 14-pixel multiplexing with an average energy resolution of 3.3 eV, which is limited by nonfundamental issues related to FDM readout in our laboratory setup.

H. Akamatsu↗
DOE OSTI2021

Final Report for Grant

This is the final report for this project. The major objectives were to develop full models and standard cells of CMOS silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) for neutron detection applications. Specifically, the research seeks to replace photomultiplier tubes, used in neutron detection applications, with SiPMs containing integrated readout electronics fabricated in standard CMOS processes. The detectors improve on the detection efficiency, readout speed, resolution (sensitivity), and spatial resolution of current systems. In particular, this work involved collaboration with the instrument and detector group at ORNL who build detectors based on discrete commercially available PMTs and SiPMs. The SiPM detectors developed in this work are based on Perimeter Gated Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (PGSPAD). These devices have tunable breakdown voltage which affects other performance characteristics of the detectors. The ability of the detectors to have integrated readout and tune the noise floor and dynamic range in addition to offering a method for non-uniformity compensation in a compact form significantly impacts the imaging research field and includes the nuclear sciences field, circuits and systems field in addition to varied fields such as geography and biology/medicine.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Recoil imaging for dark matter, neutrinos, and physics beyond the Standard Model

Recoil imaging entails the detection of spatially resolved ionization tracks generated by particle interactions. This is a highly sought-after capability in many classes of detector, with broad applications across particle and astroparticle physics. However, at low energies, where ionization signatures are small in size, recoil imaging only seems to be a practical goal for micro-pattern gas detectors. This white paper outlines the physics case for recoil imaging, and puts forward a decadal plan to advance towards the directional detection of low-energy recoils with sensitivity and resolution close to fundamental performance limits. The science case covered includes: the discovery of dark matter into the neutrino fog, directional detection of sub-MeV solar neutrinos, the precision study of coherent-elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, the detection of solar axions, the measurement of the Migdal effect, X-ray polarimetry, and several other applied physics goals. We also outline the R&D programs necessary to test concepts that are crucial to advance detector performance towards their fundamental limit: single primary electron sensitivity with full 3D spatial resolution at the $\sim$100 micron-scale. These advancements include: the use of negative ion drift, electron counting with high-definition electronic readout, time projection chambers with optical readout, and the possibility for nuclear recoil tracking in high-density gases such as argon. We also discuss the readout and electronics systems needed to scale-up such detectors to the ton-scale and beyond.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Achieving Single-Electron Sensitivity at Enhanced Speed in Fully-Depleted CCDs with Double-Gate MOSFETs

We introduce a new output amplifier for fully-depleted thick p-channel CCDs based on double-gate MOSFETs. The charge amplifier is an n-type MOSFET specifically designed and operated to couple the fully-depleted CCD with high charge-transfer efficiency. The junction coupling between the CCD and MOSFET channels has enabled high sensitivity, demonstrating sub-electron readout noise in one pixel charge measurement. We have also demonstrated the non-destructive readout capability of the device. Achieving single-electron and single-photon per pixel counting in the entire CCD pixel array has been made possible through the averaging of a small number of samples. We have demonstrated fully-depleted CCD readout with better performance than the floating diffusion and floating gate amplifiers available today, in both single and multisampling regimes, boasting at least six times the speed of floating gate amplifiers.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Commissioning of the Mu2e tracker DAQ, planning for the Vertical Slice Test and pre-pattern recognition studies

The primary objective of the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab is to search for the neutrino-less coherent $\mu \rightarrow e$ conversion in the field of an aluminum nucleus ($\mu^- \text{Al} \rightarrow e^- \text{Al}$). The signature of this process is a monochromatic Conversion Electron (CE) with an energy of approximately 104.97 MeV \cite{bartoszek2015mu2e}. Within the Standard Model (SM), the branching ratio for this process, including neutrino masses and oscillation, is expected to be less than $\mathcal{O}(10^{-50})$. This value is far beyond current experimental capabilities. However, models of physics beyond the SM predict much higher relative rates, approaching an observable level. The SINDRUM II experiment set an upper limit on muon conversion at $7 \times 10^{-13}$ (90\% CL) on Au target \cite{SINDRUMII:2006dvw}, and the Mu2e collaboration aims to improve this limit by four orders of magnitude. Observing this process would provide a clear evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. A brief discussion of the theoretical and experimental aspects is provided in Chapter \ref{intr}. Mu2e adopts a sophisticated experimental setup to achieve its goals, further described in Chapter \ref{mu2echapter}. The central part of the Mu2e detector is the tracker, that consists of 18 tracking stations. The tracker must provide excellent momentum resolution, approximately 1 MeV/c, to distinguish the monochromatic CE signal from the background. To minimize the energy losses, a straw tube tracker will be used \cite{bobbb}. Chapter \ref{chaptertrk} provides an overview of the straw tracker design and its working principles. This Thesis presents a comprehensive study of the Mu2e tracker, covering complementary aspects from initial commissioning to optimization and first steps of the calibration processes. My work at Fermilab has been focused on the complete Data Acquisition (DAQ) testing from both hardware and software perspectives. I was involved in the commissioning of the Mu2e DAQ system and the Vertical Slice Test (VST) of the tracker. The VST encompasses the entire testing chain, from the straws to the readout, and to processed data on disk. I was also focused on the offline analysis, especially on pre-pattern recognition studies, to explore the best methods for identifying $\delta$-electrons during the data taking. Chapter \ref{commissioning} details the commissioning of the tracker DAQ system, emphasizing the importance of understanding of the readout process before the data acquisition. This includes validating the readout logic and firmware through Monte Carlo simulations to confirm functionality and buffering, monitoring the quality of the data from the tracker preamplifiers and front-end electronics, and assessing overall DAQ performance to ensure reliability during future calibration and data-taking. Chapter \ref{planning} discusses the initial steps towards the tracker calibration. The ultimate goal is to perform a time calibration of the first assembled station of the tracker using cosmic muons, aiming for a longitudinal hit position resolution better than 4 cm. This involves determining the signal propagation times and channel-to-channel delays. I performed a Monte Carlo study to determine the impact of the station orientation on the quality of the calibration, in particular on the cosmic track reconstruction, focusing on potential biases that could arise. These studies provide essential insights into the operation, optimization, and calibration of the Mu2e tracker system. Given the high data volume expected during Mu2e operations, estimated at approximately 7 PBytes per year, optimizing memory usage and minimizing CPU consumption are critical. A significant challenge lies in effectively flagging $\delta$-electron hits, which are the primary source of hits in the tracker, without compromising the efficiency of CE hit detection and track reconstruction. A detailed study of pre-pattern recognition and a thorough comparison of two $\delta$-electron flagging algorithms is provided in Chapter \ref{delta}. In Chapter \ref{conclusions}, the findings are concisely summarized, offering a comprehensive synthesis of the research and emphasizing the key insights derived from this study.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solar Neutrino Detection with a Pixelated Liquid-Argon Time Projection Chamber

This thesis presents a study of low-energy solar neutrino detection using large-scale LArTPCs, focussing on novel pixelated readout technologies. Solar neutrinos offer a unique probe of fundamental neutrino properties and solar physics, but their detection in the MeV range is challenged by backgrounds. We investigate two complementary technologies: SoLAr, which integrates LArPix-based pixelated charge collection with Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) in a hybrid anode design for simultaneous charge and light detection; and Q-Pix, a triggerless pixelated readout architecture based on charge integrate-reset circuits with local clocks, where Reset Time Differences encode ionisation waveforms via time-to-charge conversion. Two SoLAr prototypes were developed and operated, demonstrating VUV-sensitive SiPM performance in liquid argon and accurate charge-light signal matching with a charge detection threshold of $\sim 100 \mathrm{keV}$. We also implement a complete simulation and reconstruction framework, incorporating realistic detector geometry, electron transport, readout response, and detailed signal and background models, including intrinsic argon and radon progeny, as well as site-specific $\gamma$-ray and neutron fluxes. For Q-Pix, we demonstrate that with a pixel size of $4\times 4$ mm$^2$ and a reset threshold of 1 fC ($\sim 0.1475$ MeV), full-scale operation produces data volumes below 1 PB per 10 ktonne-year. For SoLAr, assuming a shielded DUNE-like detector and 100 ktonne-year exposure, we project uncertainties of $0.90\times 10^{-5}$ eV$^2$ on $\Delta m^2_{21}$ and 0.033 on $\sin^2\theta_{12}$, improving to $0.46\times 10^{-5}$ eV$^2$ and 0.025 with 400 kilotonne-year. At this higher exposure, we also obtain a day–night flux asymmetry at the level of $( -5.6 \pm 3.6 ) \%$. Combining Monte Carlo modelling, hardware validation, and advanced reconstruction techniques, this work establishes a path toward next-generation ktonne-scale LArTPCs as observatories for precision solar neutrino physics.

Ruiz Ferreira, Guilherme [Manchester U.] (ORCID:00↗
DOE OSTI2026

On-Detector Machine Learning for Beam-Induced Background Rejection at a 10 TeV Muon Collider

A 10 TeV Muon Collider is a compelling candidate for a future energy-frontier facility, offering unprecedented opportunities to explore the fundamental laws of particle physics. Muon decays in the collider ring produce intense beam-induced background (BIB) that can overwhelm detector occupancy and exceed readout bandwidth constraints. We investigate the potential of on-detector Machine Learning for BIB rejection in the vertex detector, exploiting pixel cluster shapes to distinguish background from collision products. We study three classes of lightweight neural-network architectures, and evaluate their implementation feasibility using high-level synthesis. Selected architectures achieve 88 to 90% data reduction at 99% signal efficiency, while requiring hardware resources compatible with potential ASIC implementation. These results demonstrate the potential of performing substantial BIB rejection directly in the pixel readout, providing a strategy for meeting the tracker readout requirements at a future Muon Collider.

Abadjiev, Daniel [Chicago U.]↗
DOE OSTI2020

Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detectors for nuclear astrophysics studies with gamma beams

Gamma-Beams at the HIS facility in the USA and anticipated at the ELI-NP facility, now constructed in Romania, present unique new opportunities to advance research in nuclear astrophysics; not the least of which is resolving open questions in oxygen formation during stellar helium burning via a precise measurement of the 12C() reaction. Time projection chamber (TPC) detectors operating with low pressure gas (as an active target) are ideally suited for such studies. We look over the progress of the current research program and plans for the future at the HIS facility with the optical readout TPC (O-TPC) and the development of an electronic readout TPC for the ELI-NP facility (ELITPC).

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

SCEMA: a high channel density electronics module for fast waveform capture

The development of fast, highly pixelated photodetectors with single-photon sensitivity has the potential to enable a variety of new radiation detection concepts. Systems that desire to employ these detectors without loss of information demand waveform digitization with high sampling rates. Switched capacitor arrays provide a low-cost, low-power, compact solution to fast readout with high channel density. The Sandia Laboratories Compact Electronics for Modular Acquisition (SCEMA) was developed to meet these demands. A single module employs two domino ring sampling switched capacitor arrays (DRS4) [1] to provide 16 channels of up to 5 GS/s waveform digitization. This paper presents an overview of the board design and function. Calibration procedures for the module are discussed. Lastly, temporal resolution tests are presented demonstrating the module's viability as readout for high fidelity temporal measurements of single photons in suitable photodetectors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

First results from a multiplexed and massive instrument with sub-electron noise Skipper-CCDs

Here, we present a new instrument composed of a large number of sub-electron noise Skipper-CCDs operated with a two stage analog multiplexed readout scheme suitable for scaling to thousands of channels. New, thick, 1.35 Mpix sensors, from a new foundry, are glued into a Multi-Chip Module (MCM) printed circuit board on a ceramic substrate which has 16 sensors each. The instrument, that can hold up-to 16 MCMs, a total of 256 Skipper-CCD sensors (called a Super-Module with ≈ 130 grams of active mass and 346 Mpix), is part of the R&D effort of the OSCURA experiment which will have ≈ 94 super-modules. Experimental results with 10 MCMs and 160 Skipper-CCDs sensors are presented in this paper. This is already the largest ever built instrument with single electron sensitivity CCDs using nondestructive readout, both, in terms of active mass and number of channels.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Developments of Highly Multiplexed, Multi-chroic Pixels for Balloon-Borne Platforms

We present our work to develop and characterize low thermal conductance bolometers that are part of sinuous antenna multi-chroic pixels (SAMP). We use longer, thinner and meandered bolometer legs to achieve 9 pW/K thermal conductance bolometers. We also discuss the development of inductor–capacitor chips operated at 4 K to extend the multiplexing factor of the frequency domain multiplexing to 105, an increase of 60% compared to the factor currently demonstrated for this readout system. This technology development is motivated by EBEX-IDS, a balloon-borne polarimeter designed to characterize the polarization of foregrounds and to detect the primordial gravity waves through their B-mode signature on the polarization of the cosmic microwave background. EBEX-IDS will operate 20,562 transition edge sensor bolometers spread over 7 frequency bands between 150 and 360 GHz. Balloon and satellite platforms enable observations at frequencies inaccessible from the ground and with higher instantaneous sensitivity. This development improves the readiness of the SAMP and frequency domain readout technologies for future satellite applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Resonator Stabilization Architecture to Suppress Switching Transient Crosstalk in I-CDM

The ever-increasing sizes of transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter arrays motivates improved multiplexed readout with large multiplexing factors, low power dissipation, and low levels of crosstalk. Current-summed code division multiplexing (I-CDM) has been proposed as an alternative to flux-summed code division multiplexing (Φ-CDM) because of its lower power dissipation and greater robustness against the failure of individual readout elements. Simulating I-CDM arrays, we find that unswitched circuit components provide a mechanism for crosstalk, the magnitude of which is determined by their inductance. To mitigate this source of crosstalk, we propose a technique called resonator-stabilized I-CDM (RI-CDM), which the simulations predict will reduce crosstalk by an order of magnitude. RI-CDM reads out dc-biased TESs on an amplitude-modulated carrier wave.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗