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DOE OSTI2022

Evaluation of a positron-emission-tomography-based SiPM readout for compact segmented neutron imagers

Gamma-ray emission from special nuclear material (SNM) is relatively easy to shield from detection using modest amounts of high-Z material. In contrast, fast-neutrons are much more penetrating and can escape relatively thick high-Z shielding without losing significant energy. Furthermore, fast neutrons provide a clear and unambiguous signature of the presence of SNM with few competing natural background sources. The challenge of detecting fast neutrons is twofold. First, the neutron flux from SNM are only a fraction of the corresponding gamma-ray flux. Second, fast neutrons can be difficult to differentiate from gamma rays. The ability to discriminate gamma rays from neutrons, combined with a neutron imaging capability, can in some situations enable the localization of SNM neutron sources distinct from background. With the developments of pulse-shape-sensitive plastic scintillators that offer excellent gamma-ray/neutron discrimination, and arrays of silicon photomultipliers combined with highly scalable and fast positron-emission-tomography (PET) multi-channel readout systems, field-deployable neutron imagers suitable for SNM detection might now be within reach. In this paper, we present a characterization of the performance of a recently available commercial PET-scanner readout, including its sensitivity to pulse-shape differences between fast neutrons and gamma rays, energy and timing resolution. Here, we find that, while the pulse-shape discrimination is achievable with stilbene, further improvement of the readout is required to achieve it with the PSD-capable available plastic scintillators.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2024

The Mu2e Digitizer ReAdout Controller (DiRAC): characterization and radiation hardness

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for the neutrino-less coherent conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of a nucleus. Mu2e detectors comprise a straw tracker, an electromagnetic calorimeter and a veto for cosmic rays. The calorimeter employs 1348 Cesium Iodide crystals readout by silicon photo-multipliers and fast front-end, and digitization electronics. The digitization board is named DiRAC (Digitizer ReAdout Controller) and 140 cards are needed for the readout of the full calorimeter. The DiRACs are hosted in crates located on the external surface of calorimeter disks, inside the detector solenoid cryostat and must sustain very high radiation and magnetic field so it was necessary to fully qualify it. Several version of prototypes were validated for operation in a high-vacuum (10−4 Torr) and under a 1T magnetic field. An extensive radiation hardness qualification campaign, carried out with photons, 14 MeV neutron beams, and 200 MeV protons, certified the DiRAC design to sustain doses up to 12 Krad, neutron fluences up to ∼ 1011 1 MeV neq/cm2, and very low occurrences of single-event effects. The qualification campaigns and quality assurance procedures will be reviewed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Initial assessment of second generation of large-area picosecond photodetectors with multi-channel systems-on-a-chip readout

Here, we first briefly describe the history and motivation behind Cherenkov and scintillation light detection. We then discuss the instrumentation needed to detect these photons as it applies to both photodetectors and readout electronics. One of the motivations is future large neutrino detectors that could, in principle, differentiate between Cherenkov and scintillation light if using novel water-based scintillators. In this paper, we present the first measurements utilizing the second generation of Large Area Picosecond Photodetectors (LAPPDs) in conjunction with commercial system-on-a-chip readouts from Nalu Scientific—in particular, the High Density System on Chip (HDSoC) and Advanced ASoC Rapid Digitizer, Variable Adaptive Readout Chip (AARDVARC) platforms. These state-of-the-art full-waveform digitizers feature sampling rates on the order of 1 and 10 samples per nanosecond, respectively. Using a picosecond laser, we measured the timing jitter between a pair of LAPPD channels, demonstrating the potential of this setup for precise timing applications.

Li, V. A. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Optimizing Charge-coupled Device Readout Enabled by the Floating-gate Amplifier

Multiple-Amplifier Sensing (MAS) charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have recently been shown to be promising silicon detectors that meet noise sensitivity requirements for next generation Stage-5 spectroscopic surveys and potentially, future space-based imaging of extremely faint objects on missions such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory. Building upon the capability of the Skipper CCD to achieve deeply sub-electron noise floors, MAS CCDs utilize multiple floating-gate amplifiers along the serial register to increase the readout speed by a factor of the number of output nodes compared to a Skipper CCD. We introduce and experimentally demonstrate on a 16-channel prototype device new readout techniques that exploit the MAS CCD’s floating-gate amplifiers to optimize the correlated double sampling by resetting once per line instead of once per pixel. With this new mode, we find an optimal filter to subtract the noise from the signal during read out. We also take advantage of the MAS CCD’s structure to tune the read time by independently changing integration times for the signal and reference level. Together with optimal weighted averaging of the 16 outputs, these approaches enable us to reach a sub-electron noise of 0.9 e − rms pix −1 at 19 μs pix −1 for a single charge measurement per pixel—simultaneously giving a 30% faster readout time and 10% lower read noise compared to performance previously evaluated without these techniques.

Lin, Kenneth W. (ORCID:0000000189672281)↗

DOE OSTI2023

The COLUTA ADC ASIC and the ATLAS HL-LHC Liquid Argon Front-End Readout

Abstract The upgraded High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) requires a new radiation tolerant ATLAS Liquid Argon (LAr) Calorimeter readout operating at 40 MHz with 16-bit dynamic range. The Front-End Board 2 (FEB2) will provide the front-end readout for the calorimeter, and will interface a series of custom ASICs due to radiation tolerance requirements of the HL-LHC. The COLUTA is a 65 nm CMOS custom 8-channel 15-bit 40 MSPS ADC ASIC developed for this application. This contribution will present performance results of the final prototype of the COLUTA, surpassing specifications at >11.5 ENOB for relevant frequencies, as well as non-linearity and radiation requirements. Preliminary integration results of the front-end readout components will also be described by means of the FEB2 Pre-Prototype, the “Slice Testboard”.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

DOE OSTI2026

Photon temporal-mode readout for inference of neutron star merger remnant gravitational waves

Gravitational waves emitted after neutron star binary coalescences and the information they carry about dense matter are a high-priority target for next-generation detectors. Even though such detectors are expected to observe millions of signals, detectable postmerger emission will remain rare. Here, in this work, we explore postmerger detectability and inference through an alternative detector readout scheme for data dominated by quantum-noise, which is the case above 1 kHz; photon-counting. In such a readout, signals and noise become quantized into discrete distributions corresponding to the detection of single photons measured in a chosen basis of modes. Through simulated data, we demonstrate that photon counting can be efficient even for weak signals. We find ∼1 in 100 signals with a postmerger signal-to-noise ratio of 0.2 can result in a single photon and thus be detected. Furthermore, after 2 ×10 4 signals—equivalent to 10 −2 to 1.5 years of observation—photon counting results in a twofold improvement in the measurement of the radius of a 1.6⁢𝑀 ⊙ neutron star. Constraints can be further tightened if the detector classical noise is reduced. Photon counting offers a promising alternative to traditional homodyne readout techniques for extracting information from low signal-to-noise ratio postmerger signals.

gravitational wave detection↗

DOE OSTI2020

Improving qubit readout with hidden Markov models

We demonstrate the application of pattern recognition algorithms via hidden Markov models (HMM) for qubit readout. This scheme provides a state-path trajectory approach capable of detecting qubit-state transitions and makes for a robust classification scheme with higher starting-state assignment fidelity than when compared to a multivariate Gaussian or a support vector machine scheme. Therefore, the method also eliminates the qubit-dependent readout time optimization requirement in current schemes. Using a HMM state discriminator we estimate fidelities reaching the ideal limit. Unsupervised learning gives access to transition matrix, priors, and IQ distributions, providing a toolbox for studying qubit-state dynamics during strong projective readout.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2023

Perturbative readout-error mitigation for near-term quantum computers

Readout errors on near-term quantum computers can introduce significant error to the empirical probability distribution sampled from the output of a quantum circuit. These errors can be mitigated by classical postprocessing given the access of an experimental response matrix that describes the error associated with the measurement of each computational basis state. However, the resources required to characterize a complete response matrix and to compute the corrected probability distribution scale exponentially with the number of qubits, n . In this work, we modify standard matrix inversion techniques using perturbative approximations with significantly reduced complexity and bounded error when the likelihood of high-order bit-flip events is strongly suppressed. Given a characteristic error rate q , we discuss a method to recover the probability of the all-zeros bit string p 0 by sampling only a small subspace of the response matrix before inverting readout error, resulting in a relative speedup of poly [ 2 n / ( n w ) ] , which we motivate using a simplified error model for which the approximation incurs only O ( q w ) error for some integer w . We then provide a generalized technique to efficiently recover full output distributions with O ( q w ) error in the perturbative limit. These approximate techniques for readout-error correction may greatly accelerate near-term quantum computing applications.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2023

A Sub-Electron-Noise Multi-Channel Cryogenic Skipper-CCD Readout ASIC

The MIDNA application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is a skipper-CCD readout chip fabricated in a 65 nm LP-CMOS process that is capable of working at cryogenic temperatures. The chip integrates four front-end channels that process the skipper-CCD signal and performs differential averaging using a dual slope integration (DSI) circuit. Each readout channel contains a pre-amplifier, a DC restorer, and a dual-slope integrator with chopping capability. The integrator chopping is a key system design element in order to mitigate the effect of low-frequency noise produced by the integrator itself, and it is not often required with standard CCDs. Each channel consumes 4.5 mW of power, occupies 0.156 mm${^2}$ area and has an input referred noise of 2.7${\mu\nu}_{rms}$. It is demonstrated experimentally to achieve sub-electron noise when coupled with a skipper-CCD by means of averaging samples of each pixel. Here, sub-electron noise is shown in three different acquisition approaches. The signal range is 6000 electrons. The readout system achieves 0.2${e^{-}}$ RMS by averaging 1000 samples with MIDNA both at room temperature and at 180 Kelvin.

1/f noise↗

DOE OSTI2024

Cryogenic Front-End ASICs for Low-Noise Readout of Charge Signals

This paper presents design details and measurement results of LArASIC, a front-end application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for low-noise readout of charge signals generated in neutrino study experiments within liquid argon time projection chambers. LArASIC comprises of 16-channels of programmable charge amplification and pulse shaping stages that provide a voltage readout proportional to the input charge and was optimized for operation at liquid argon temperature, i.e., 89 K. The chip was fabricated in a 180 nm CMOS process. Measurements at liquid nitrogen temperature, i.e., 77 K, indicate that the channel outputs have high linearity (INL < 0.1%) within the operating range, an equivalent noise charge of 534 electrons for a peaking time of 1 µs and a detector capacitance of 150 pF, and a worst-case inter-channel cross-talk of 0.35%. The paper also presents design choices made in the process of migrating LArASIC to CHARMS, an ASIC to be fabricated in a 65 nm process that includes all features provided by LArASIC, along with additional digital programmability for improved robustness and flexibility. CHARMS is intended for use in future high-energy physics experiments that require high-resolution charge or light readout with shorter pulse peaking times.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Skipper-in-CMOS: Nondestructive Readout With Subelectron Noise Performance for Pixel Detectors

The Skipper-in-CMOS image sensor integrates the nondestructive readout capability of skipper charge coupled devices (Skipper-CCDs) with the high conversion gain of a pinned photodiode (PPD) in a CMOS imaging process while taking advantage of in-pixel signal processing. This allows both single photon counting as well as high frame rate readout through highly parallel processing. The first results obtained from a ${15} \times {15}~\mu $ m2 pixel cell of a Skipper-in-CMOS sensor fabricated in Tower Semiconductor’s commercial 180-nm CMOS image sensor process are presented. Measurements confirm the expected reduction of the readout noise with the number of samples down to deep subelectron noise of $0.15\text {e}^ - $ , demonstrating the charge transfer operation from the PPD and the single photon counting operation when the sensor is exposed to light. This article also discusses new testing strategies employed for its operation and characterization.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2026

Versatile High-Gain Low-Noise Readout ASIC for Silicon Microstrip Tracking Detectors

This work presents Turpial, a custom-designed low- power front-end readout ASIC for microstrip silicon sensors. Implemented in 130 nm CMOS technology, the chip integrates 64 identical readout channels, each including a configurable charge-sensitive amplifier, a bipolar pulse shaper, a 32-sample 50 Msps analog memory, and a 12-bit RC-hybrid SAR ADC operating at 1 Msps. To satisfy the target power budget of 5 mW per channel, the architecture employs a time-decoupled readout scheme in which fast transient signals are first captured in the analog memory and subsequently digitized at a lower rate. Turpial supports a wide dynamic range from 1 kℎ+ to 1 Mℎ+ while maintaining low noise performance, targeting an equivalent noise charge (ENC) below 200 𝑒−including the sensor, and providing a maximum gain of 1500 mV/fC. A digital block manages slow control, data acquisition, and data serialization through dual CML 300 Mb/s serializers. In addition, an on-chip reference circuit, based on a sub-1 V bandgap reference and an integrated LDO regulator, eliminates the need for external reference circuitry. Experimental results demonstrate that both the individual building blocks and the fully integrated ASIC meet the design specifications.

Hernandez, Hugo [Stanford University] (ORCID:00000↗

DOE OSTI2023

A 32-channels readout ASIC for X-ray spectrometry and tracking in the GAPS experiment

Here this work describes the architecture and the experimental results from the characterization of a 32-channels mixed-signal Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) developed for the readout of the lithium-drifted silicon, Si(Li), detectors of the General AntiParticle Spectrometer (GAPS) experiment dedicated to searching for dark matter. The instrument is designed for the identification of antiprotons, antideuterons and antihelium nuclei from cosmic rays during an Antarctic balloon mission scheduled for late 2024. A full custom integrated circuit, named SLIDER32 (32-channels Si-LI DEtector Readout) ASIC, has been produced in a commercial 180 nm CMOS technology. The ASIC is comprised of 32 low-noise analog readout channels featuring dynamic signal compression to comply with the wide input range, an 11-bit SAR ADC and a digital back-end section which is responsible for channel setting and for sending digital information to the data acquisition system (DAQ). The circuit design criteria and the experimental results are discussed in the paper.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2020

Evaluation of a streaming readout solution for Jefferson Lab experiments

Jefferson Lab (JLab) operates the CEBAF accelerator that provides a high energy (up to 12 GeV) and high current (up to 150 µA) polarized electron beam for fixed target experiments. JLab's mission is to provide substantial progress in understanding the Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD), the current theory of the spectrum and the dynamics of hadronic matter. Given the broad scientific program a general-purpose detector, CLAS12, has been designed and constructed. Such a detector requires a sophisticated trigger and current experiments use an on-line FPGA-based system that relies upon custom firmware and electronics both of which are difficult reconfigure from one experiment to the next. To overcome these challenges transitioning to a streaming readout has been proposed since it would allow a more flexible, easier to debug, software trigger to be developed. To facilitate this JLab is gaining experience with streaming readout systems and is actively working to design and test a streaming data acquisition architecture. Significant work has already been done to make existing front-end electronics compatible with operation in streaming mode. Software-wise, much work remains to be done but an existing framework, TriDAS, which was developed for underwater neutrino telescopes can, in principle, be used with the existing JLab hardware. A test stand is already in place in the INDRA DAQ development lab at JLab. This paper will present the development of this TriDAS based test system and it?s operation in-beam using parts of the CLAS12 detector to evaluate streaming readout for a large general purpose detector.

Battaglieri, Marco↗

DOE OSTI2020

Dynamically Reconfigurable Data Readout of Pixel Detectors for Automatic Synchronization with Data Acquisition Systems

Reconfigurable detectors with dynamically selectable sensing and readout modes are highly desirable for implementing edge computing as well as enabling advanced imaging techniques such as foveation. The concept of a camera system capable of simultaneous passive imaging and dynamic ranging in different regions of the detector is presented. Such an adaptive-autonomous detector with both spatial and temporal control requires programmable window of exposure (time frames), ability to switch between readout modes such as full-frame imaging and zero-suppressed data, modification of the number of pixel data bits and independent programmability for distinct detector regions. In this work, a method is presented for seamlessly changing time frames and readout modes without data corruption while still ensuring that the data acquisition system (DAQ) does not need to stop and resynchronize at each change of setting, thus avoiding significant dead time. Data throughput is maximized by using a minimum unique data format, rather than lengthy frame headers, to differentiate between consecutive frames. A data control and transmitter (DCT) synchronizes data transfer from the pixel to the periphery, reconfigures the data to transmit it serially off-chip, while providing optimized decision support based on a DAQ definable mode. Measurements on a test structure demonstrate that the DCT can operate at 1 GHz in a 65 nm LP CMOS process.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2026

SQUID Readout of a High-$Q$ Superconducting $LC$ Resonator

We demonstrate the readout of a superconducting $LC$ resonator, with $Q \approx 2 \times 10^{6}$ at approximately 250 kHz, using a dc SQUID followed by a SQUID series-array amplifier readout chain. We find that $Q$ depends on the SQUID flux-bias point, increasing near the shallow-slope point of the SQUID modulation curve and decreasing near the steep-slope point, consistent with the previously observed SQUID damping effects. From this variation, we infer the SQUID effective input impedance. We further infer the effective temperature of the resonator circuit from the resonance peak in the noise spectrum and show that it also depends on the SQUID flux-bias point, suggesting a possible contribution from SQUID back-action noise. This system provides a working prototype for future experiments based on lumped-element resonators with SQUID readout, in particular low-mass axion searches within the DMRadio program.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

NASA NTRS1973

Study of spacecraft direct readout meteorological systems

Characteristics are defined of the next generation direct readout meteorological satellite system with particular application to Tiros N. Both space and ground systems are included. The recommended space system is composed of four geosynchronous satellites and two low altitude satellites in sun-synchronous orbit. The goesynchronous satellites transmit to direct readout ground stations via a shared S-band link, relayed FOFAX satellite cloud cover pictures (visible and infrared) and weather charts (WEFAX). Basic sensor data is transmitted to regional Data Utilization Stations via the same S-band link. Basic sensor data consists of 0.5 n.m. sub-point resolution data in the 0.55 - 0.7 micron spectral region, and 4.0 n.m. resolution data in the 10.5 - 12.6 micron spectral region. The two low altitude satellites in sun-synchronous orbit provide data to direct readout ground stations via a 137 MHz link, a 400 Mhz link, and an S-band link.

Bartlett, R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

InSb arrays with CCD readout for 1.0- to 5.5-microns infrared applications

There were two approaches for fabricating indium antimonide (InSb) arrays with CCD readout discussed. The hybrid approach integrated InSb detectors and silicon CCDs in a modular assembly via an advanced interconnection technology. In the monolithic approach, the InSb infrared detectors and the CCD readout were integrated on the same InSb chip. Both approaches utilized intrinsic (band-to-band) photodetection with the attendant advantages over extrinsic detectors. The status of each of these detector readout concepts, with pertinent performance characteristics, was presented.

Phillips, J. D.↗