A prototype direct-detection CCD for protein crystallography.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Crystallography

Background:

• Direct-conversion X-ray Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) detectors are crucial for various imaging applications.
• Advancements in detector technology are needed to improve resolution and sensitivity for scientific research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the fabrication and testing of a prototype deep-depletion X-ray CCD detector.
• To evaluate the detector's performance in protein crystallography experiments.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a prototype detector using 600 µm-thick high-resistivity silicon.
• Implementation of a 4k x 4k pixel format with 24 x 24 µm pixels.
• Calibration measurements and experimental testing at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) F1 beamline.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of a prototype deep-depletion X-ray CCD detector.
• Demonstration of detector functionality through calibration measurements.
• Initial protein crystallography experiments conducted to assess performance.

Conclusions:

• The prototype deep-depletion X-ray CCD detector shows potential for scientific applications.
• Further improvements are suggested for future detector iterations.
• The detector performance is suitable for initial protein crystallography studies.