Characterization of a detector chain using a FPGA-based Time-to-Digital Converter to reconstruct the three-dimensional coordinates of single particles at high flux

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel FPGA-based Time-to-Digital Converter integrated into a detection system capable of high-rate, three-dimensional single-particle imaging with improved resolution measurement methods, applicable to various particles.

Contribution

Introduction of a new FPGA-based TDC and detection chain enabling high-rate 3D particle reconstruction with a practical resolution measurement approach.

Findings

Achieved continuous timing recording at 4.1 million events per second.

Reconstructed 3D particle coordinates at rates up to 3.2 million per second.

Measured in-plane resolution of approximately 140 micrometers.

Abstract

We report on the development of a novel FPGA-based Time-to-Digital Converter and its implementation in a detection chain that records the coordinates of single particles along three dimensions. The detector is composed of Micro-Channel Plates mounted on top of a cross delay line and connected to fast electronics. We demonstrate continuous recording of the timing signals from the cross delay line at rates up to 4.1x10^6 per second and three-dimensional reconstruction of the coordinates up to 3.2x10^6 particles per second. From the imaging of a calibrated structure we measure the in-plane resolution of the detector to be 140(20) um. In addition we analyze a method to measure the resolution without placing any structure under vacuum, a significant practical improvement. While we use UV photons here, the results of this work directly apply to the detection of other kinds of particles.