Fast, low noise CCD systems for future strategic x-ray missions

TL;DR

This paper presents advanced low-noise, high-speed CCD readout systems with optimized sampling methods, enabling future X-ray missions to achieve the necessary data rates and energy resolution.

Contribution

It introduces a novel sampling technique and integrated ASIC-based readout system that significantly improve speed and noise performance for X-ray CCD detectors.

Findings

Achieved improved energy resolution with MIT-LL AXIS prototype CCDs.

Demonstrated data rates suitable for future X-ray missions.

Developed a new bias optimization method for enhanced performance.

Abstract

Future strategic X-ray missions, such as the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS) and those targeted by the Great Observatories Maturation Program (GOMaP), require fast, low-noise X-ray imaging spectrometers. To achieve the speed and noise capabilities required by such programs, the X-ray Astronomy and Observational Cosmology (XOC) Group at Stanford, in collaboration with the MIT Kavli Institute (MKI) and MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT-LL), is developing readout systems that leverage the high speed, low noise, and low power consumption of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices. Here, we report the energy resolution and noise performance achieved using MIT-LL AXIS prototype charge-coupled device (CCD) detectors in conjunction with Stanford-developed Multi-Channel Readout Chip (MCRC) ASICs. Additionally, we present a new sampling method for simultaneous optimization of the output gate (OG), reset gate (RG), and reset drain (RD) biases which, in combination with new integrated fast summing well (SW) and RG clock operation modes, enables the data rates required of future X-ray telescopes.