Kyoto's Event-Driven X-ray Astronomy SOI pixel sensor for the FORCE mission

Abstract

We have been developing monolithic active pixel sensors, X-ray Astronomy SOI pixel sensors, XRPIXs, based on a Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) CMOS technology as soft X-ray sensors for a future Japanese mission, FORCE (Focusing On Relativistic universe and Cosmic Evolution). The mission is characterized by broadband (1-80 keV) X-ray imaging spectroscopy with high angular resolution ($<15$~arcsec), with which we can achieve about ten times higher sensitivity in comparison to the previous missions above 10~keV. Immediate readout of only those pixels hit by an X-ray is available by an event trigger output function implemented in each pixel with the time resolution higher than $10\mu \sec$ (Event-Driven readout mode). It allows us to do fast timing observation and also reduces non-X-ray background dominating at a high X-ray energy band above 5--10~keV by adopting an anti-coincidence technique. In this paper, we introduce our latest results from the developments of the XRPIXs. (1) We successfully developed a 3-side buttable back-side illumination device with an imaging area size of 21.9~mm$\times$13.8~mm and an pixel size of $36\mu \mathrm{m}\times 36\mu \mathrm{m}$. The X-ray throughput with the device reaches higher than 0.57~kHz in the Event-Driven readout mode. (2) We developed a device using the double SOI structure and found that the structure improves the spectral performance in the Event-Driven readout mode by suppressing the capacitive coupling interference between the sensor and circuit layers. (3) We also developed a new device equipped with the Pinned Depleted Diode structure and confirmed that the structure reduces the dark current generated at the interface region between the sensor and the SiO${}_2$ insulator layers. The device shows an energy resolution of 216~eV in FWHM at 6.4~keV in the Event-Driven readout mode.

arXiv comment11 pages, 10 figures, Proceedings Volume 10709, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VIII

References in corpus (5)

• The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) Mission
• Hard X-ray Detector (HXD) on Board Suzaku
• In-Orbit Performance of the Hard X-ray Detector on board Suzaku
• Improvement of Spectroscopic Performance using a Charge-sensitive Amplifier Circuit for an X-Ray Astronomical SOI Pixel Detector
• The FORCE mission : Science aim and instrument parameter for broadband X-ray imaging spectroscopy with good angular resolution

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Sub-pixel Response of Double-SOI Pixel Sensors for X-ray Astronomy
• Development and characterization of a fast and low noise readout for the next generation X-ray CCDs
• Subpixel Response of SOI Pixel Sensor for X-ray Astronomy with Pinned Depleted Diode: First Result from Mesh Experiment
• X-ray Radiation Damage Effects on Double-SOI Pixel Detectors for the Future Astronomical Satellite "FORCE"