Low Noise, High Rate SI Drift Chamber X-Ray Detectors

This program's objective is to develop a new technology: x-ray detectors based upon silicon drift cdetectors specifically designed for optimal performance in the 500 eV to 10 keV region that will promagnitude advancement in energy dispersive x-ray detectors for biomedical research at Synchrotron Raresearch facilities. SDC detectors will be capable of attaining electronic noise below 10 e rms at pns, will allow throughput rates of over 106 cps, and will not require cryogenic cooling. The predictcapability will allow x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) research at ultra-low dilutions (or as a ftemperature, or concentration) that would otherwise be unfeasible or even impossible. Used with highand undulators on both existing and next generation SR sources, these detectors will enhance the capdirect structural, bonding and compositional information which has been found to be so important inmechanisms of protein and enzyme function at the molecular level. The detector development program hwhich are divided into two technical phases: (Phase l) Study optimal structures and develop prototypstructures leading to the targeted performance goals in terms of low noise, high efficiency, and higand 2) Evaluate prototype detectors on the x-ray beam-lines at SSRL using standard spectroscopy elec(Phase 2): a) develop finalized SDC structures based upon the Phase l studies, b) design and developtransistor-preamplifier structure required in order to utilize the drift detectors small capacitancenoise and high rates, c) develop a specialized housing for the integrated detector/EET, d) develop snecessary to achieve optimal performance from SDC detectors and e) construct and deploy a detector aSynchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL).