Speaker
Description
Recent advancements in X-ray sources and experimental techniques have increased the demand for area detectors capable of covering a wide X-ray energy range, including the soft and tender X-ray regime, while supporting efficient data acquisition. In particular, low-energy X-ray measurements impose stringent requirements on detector noise performance, stability, and vacuum compatibility.
In this contribution, we present an evaluation of the XSPA series hybrid pixel array detectors with a focus on low-energy X-ray detection performance. The detector architecture is based on a readout design derived from the UFXC family of photon-counting ASICs [1] and is implemented in a vacuum-compatible housing suitable for soft X-ray experiments. Detector performance was evaluated using monochromatic X-ray measurements over a range of photon energies, focusing on energy response, noise separation, and operational robustness in the low-energy region.
Experimental results demonstrate that X-ray signals down to approximately 500 eV can be clearly observed and separated from electronic noise, confirming the applicability of the detector to soft X-ray measurements. Additional data obtained at higher photon energies further illustrate the linearity of the energy response and the stability of detector operation under practical experimental conditions. While detailed adjustment and optimization procedures are beyond the scope of this presentation, the results provide an overview of the achievable performance envelope in the low-energy regime.
The detector also supports high-throughput acquisition modes, including zero-dead-time operation and burst acquisition. Although such modes are not the primary focus of this contribution, they provide a flexible acquisition framework that can be combined with low-energy operation depending on experimental requirements.
The presentation will focus on experimental results and performance evaluation relevant to low-energy X-ray detection, with selected complementary measurements at higher X-ray energies performed to evaluate fundamental detector characteristics.
[1] P. Grybos et al., IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. 63 (2016), 1155–1161