Instruments of RT-2 Experiment onboard CORONAS-PHOTON and their test and evaluation II: RT-2/CZT payload

TL;DR

This paper details the testing, selection, and characterization of CZT detectors and CMOS imaging sensors used in the RT-2/CZT payload on the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite for solar flare X-ray imaging.

Contribution

It presents the comprehensive testing and selection process for CZT modules and characterizes the CMOS detector for space-based solar X-ray observations.

Findings

Selection of the top three 'Gold' CZT modules for space use

Successful characterization of CZT modules for space environment

Characterization of CMOS detector for high-resolution X-ray imaging

Abstract

Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detectors are high sensitivity and high resolution devices for hard X-ray imaging and spectroscopic studies. The new series of CZT detector modules (OMS40G256) manufactured by Orbotech Medical Solutions (OMS), Israel, are used in the RT-2/CZT payload onboard the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite. The CZT detectors, sensitive in the energy range of 20 keV to 150 keV, are used to image solar flares in hard X-rays. Since these modules are essentially manufactured for commercial applications, we have carried out a series of comprehensive tests on these modules so that they can be confidently used in space-borne systems. These tests lead us to select the best three pieces of the 'Gold' modules for the RT-2/CZT payload. This paper presents the characterization of CZT modules and the criteria followed for selecting the ones for the RT-2/CZT payload. The RT-2/CZT payload carries, along with three CZT modules, a high spatial resolution CMOS detector for high resolution imaging of transient X-ray events. Therefore, we discuss the characterization of the CMOS detector as well.