Prototype readout electronics of a double-sided silicon strip detector for space exploration

Area of Science:

• Space Science
• Particle Detection Technology

Background:

• Double-sided silicon strip detectors (DSSDs) are vital instruments for interplanetary exploration.
• Reliable and high-performance readout electronics are essential for DSSD functionality in harsh space environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate prototype readout electronics for DSSDs specifically designed for space exploration applications.
• To assess the performance characteristics of the developed front-end readout module (FEM) and data acquisition module (DAM).

Main Methods:

• The readout electronics comprise a front-end readout module (FEM) and a data acquisition module (DAM).
• The FEM utilizes application-specific integrated circuits and polarity inverter circuits for signal acquisition.
• The DAM employs a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for online position and energy calculations, data packaging, and transfer.

Main Results:

• The electronics demonstrate dynamic ranges of 6-2500 fC and -6 to -2500 fC with integral nonlinearity below 0.5%.
• The root-mean-square noise level is less than 1.9 fC.
• Joint tests with DSSDs yielded an energy resolution of 3.25% (FWHM) at 5.486 MeV and a position resolution of 1.19 mm.

Conclusions:

• The developed prototype readout electronics meet the stringent requirements for DSSD applications in space exploration.
• The system's performance in terms of energy and position resolution is suitable for interplanetary missions.
• This advancement contributes to enhanced data acquisition capabilities for future space science endeavors.