Temperature control board design and validation for skipper-CCD sensors using a buck converter

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Electrical Engineering
• Instrumentation

Background:

• Skipper-CCD sensors require precise temperature control for optimal performance in scientific experiments.
• Existing temperature control solutions may not meet the specific needs or integration requirements of these advanced sensors.
• The OSCURA experiment necessitated a reliable and adaptable thermal management system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate a custom temperature control board tailored for Skipper-CCD sensors.
• To create a versatile board applicable to diverse experimental setups.
• To ensure robust protection and monitoring capabilities within the temperature control system.

Main Methods:

• Development of a two-section galvanically isolated board: a Raspberry Pi-based control section and a buck converter-based power section.
• Integration of essential instrumentation for measurement, protection, and monitoring in both sections.
• Extensive experimental validation to confirm thermal management precision and system reliability.

Main Results:

• Successful creation and validation of a custom temperature control board for Skipper-CCD sensors.
• Demonstrated precise thermal management capabilities suitable for sensitive detector applications.
• The board's design proved effective and reliable during the OSCURA experiment.

Conclusions:

• The developed custom temperature control board provides effective and precise thermal management for Skipper-CCD sensors.
• The board's versatile design and integrated safeguards make it suitable for various experimental applications.
• This system serves as a valuable model for future projects requiring tailored temperature control solutions.