A novel integrated time-resolved array avalanche photodiode detection system for nuclear resonant scattering...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Materials Science
• X-ray Spectroscopy

Background:

• Nuclear resonant scattering (NRS) experiments demand high-performance photon-counting detectors.
• Existing detectors often face limitations in time resolution, dead time, dynamic range, noise, and detection area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel 8-channel avalanche photodiode (APD) array detector system for NRS experiments.
• To enhance the capabilities of synchrotron-based nuclear scattering techniques.

Main Methods:

• Development of an integrated system comprising an array-APD sensor, fast preamplifiers, time-to-digital converter electronics, and a data acquisition system with EPICS support.
• Performance characterization including time resolution, noise level, and energy threshold.
• In-situ testing in nuclear forward scattering (NFS) and nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NRIXS) experiments at synchrotron facilities.

Main Results:

• Achieved time resolution better than 500 ps and a low noise level, enabling a detection energy threshold as low as 4 keV.
• Successfully extracted NFS signals close to prompt electronic scattering.
• Enabled readily measured NRIXS spectra with stored time and energy information.

Conclusions:

• The developed 8-channel APD array detector system meets the stringent requirements of NRS experiments.
• The system demonstrates significant improvements in performance and data acquisition capabilities for NFS and NRIXS.
• This detector technology is suitable for deployment at various synchrotron radiation facilities for advanced nuclear resonant scattering studies.