Picosecond Avalanche Detector — working principle and gain measurement with a proof-of-concept prototype. (1st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paolozzi, L.; Munker, M.; Cardella, R.; Milanesio, M.; Gurimskaya, Y.; Martinelli, F.; Picardi, A.; Rücker, H.; Trusch, A.; Valerio, P.; Cadoux, F.; Cardarelli, R.; Débieux, S.; Favre, Y.; Fenoglio, C.A.; Ferrere, D.; Gonzalez-Sevilla, S.; Kotitsa, R.; Magliocca, C.; Moretti, T.; Nessi, M.; Pizarro Medina, A.; Sabater Iglesias, J.; Saidi, J.; Vicente Barreto Pinto, M.; Zambito, S.; Iacobucci, G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of instrumentation. Volume 17:Number 10(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10-01
• Subjects: Solid state detectors -- Timing detectors -- Particle tracking detectors (Solid-state detectors) -- Pixelated detectors and associated VLSI electronics; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; 502.84
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/17/10/P10032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0221

Abstract

Abstract: The Picosecond Avalanche Detector is a multi-junction silicon pixel detector based on a (NP)drift (NP)gain structure, devised to enable charged-particle tracking with high spatial resolution and picosecond time-stamp capability. It uses a continuous junction deep inside the sensor volume to amplify the primary charge produced by ionizing radiation in a thin absorption layer. The signal is then induced by the secondary charges moving inside a thicker drift region. A proof-of-concept monolithic prototype, consisting of a matrix of hexagonal pixels with 100 μm pitch, has been produced using the 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS process by IHP microelectronics. Measurements on probe station and with a 55 Fe X-ray source show that the prototype is functional and displays avalanche gain up to a maximum electron gain of 23. A study of the avalanche characteristics, corroborated by TCAD simulations, indicates that space-charge effects due to the large primary charge produced by the conversion of X-rays from the ^55Fe source limits the effective gain.