Online program Overview Session: TS-02

Abstract

IDEAS has a long heritage in designing detector readout integrated circuits (ROICs) and electronic systems for scientific applications. You can use our VATA and IDE-type chips for reading out your high-channel-count detectors, e.g., strips or pixels on silicon, CZT, or scintillators with PMTs or SiPMs. For space applications, and with flight heritage, our radiation-hardened ASICs enable compact, low-power detectors. Building on this foundation, IDEAS is contributing to next-generation instruments and missions: Space radiation monitors deliver real-time dosimetry and particle spectra (NORM, and Galileo RMU). CZT-based systems (SRE4001, GDS-100) deliver high-resolution gamma spectroscopy and x-ray imaging in a modular form. Our new designs of ADC- and infrared controller ASICs (NIRCA) help minimizing infrared imaging systems and cameras. In my presentation I will focus on the ASICs and ROICs that we can supply and our new developments.

Abstract

Detecting photons is only the beginning. How can we preserve and make better use of the information they carry?

At Rayquant, we develop both CMOS silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) and multi-voltage-threshold (MVT) readout ASICs, linking photon detection with timing readout. This presentation highlights our latest SiPM devices, measured photon detection and timing performance, and timing results from our MVT ASIC and SiPM–MVT experiments. We will also share applications of our SiPMs in PET imaging and radiation detection.

Beyond existing products, we will explore how detector-specific requirements can shape new SiPM and readout ASIC development, turning real detection challenges into working silicon.

Abstract

Advanced radiation imaging requires sensor materials, electrode structures and interconnection processes tailored to the application and readout electronics. This presentation introduces Advafab’s sensor fabrication and hybrid integration capabilities, with a focus on silicon and compound semiconductor sensors, including GaAs and Cd(Zn)Te, for scientific, medical and industrial imaging.

We present the manufacturing route from sensor design and electrode processing to under-bump metallisation, wafer-level solder bumping, precision dicing and flip-chip bonding to readout ASICs. Particular attention is given to material-dependent processing requirements, compatibility between sensor contacts and interconnects, and electrical characterisation supporting detector quality.

The presentation also outlines Advafab’s development of compound semiconductor foundry capabilities and opportunities for customer-specific sensor fabrication and process development. Attendees will gain a practical overview of how Advafab supports detector development from initial prototypes towards repeatable production, connecting sensor manufacturing with the requirements of complete hybrid pixel detector assemblies.

Abstract

In spectroscopy using Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs), signal pile-up in high count rate environments remains a primary challenge, significantly degrading energy resolution and throughput. This presentation introduces "PurSamurAI" (Pile-up Recovery via Smart Algorithm for Multi-pulse Unmixing and Reconstruction AI), a novel algorithm designed to overcome this limitation. By implementing a pre-trained inference model specialized for waveform unmixing, PurSamurAI separates and recovers overlapping pulses in real time—events that are conventionally discarded. This approach minimizes spectral degradation even at extremely high input count rates, successfully achieving both high throughput and high energy resolution simultaneously. Furthermore, the architecture provides the flexibility for users to optimize the inference model tailored to their specific measurement applications. We will discuss the technical details of the PurSamurAI signal processing architecture and evaluate its real-time performance capabilities.

Abstract

Sci-Compiler is a graphical FPGA development environment for custom digital signal processing and data acquisition in nuclear physics, radiation detection, and scientific instrumentation. This contribution presents a major evolution of the platform, including the highly anticipated introduction of Linux support and automated firmware compilation through CI/CD pipelines.

The new alpha release for Linux represents a significant milestone, addressing a long-standing requirement from the scientific community and enabling Sci-Compiler to operate natively in Linux-based research environments. Together with newly introduced pipeline licenses, it opens the way to automated FPGA compilation, integration with Git-based workflows, reproducible firmware builds, and continuous validation of scientific instrumentation firmware.

The signal processing library has been substantially expanded with advanced FFT/IFFT architectures, real-time frequency-domain filtering, programmable FIR and CIC filters, digital modulation, waveform averaging, statistical analysis, and configurable signal generators. Extensive support for time-multiplexed processing enables efficient implementation of multichannel algorithms for high-sampling-rate digitizers.

Detector-oriented developments include improved trapezoidal processing for high-count-rate spectroscopy, pile-up rejection, rise-time discrimination, and flexible event packet generation. Extended simulation capabilities allow acquisition chains to be tested and waveforms, spectra, and event streams to be exported without physical hardware.

A redesigned graphical editor further improves productivity through intelligent signal connections, searchable processing blocks, hierarchical design tools, and integrated documentation.

These advances mark a transition towards an accessible, cross-platform and automated FPGA development ecosystem for modern scientific experiments.

Abstract

This presentation provides an overview of Broadcom’s silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and photodetection technologies, including NIR- and NUV-SiPMs. Special focus is placed on initial results for the new HDR-NUV-MT SiPM, as well as the newly developed BroadR and NUV-DJ SiPM technologies.

HDR-NUV-MT We present the recently released HDR-NUV-MT SiPM, a 3×3 mm² device designed for applications requiring high dynamic range. This is achieved using an 18 µm SPAD pitch, combined with a fast recharge time constant of about 17 ns. Additionally, this is the first SiPM in the NUV family featuring four subsegmented quadrants that can be read out individually.

BroadR The newly developed BroadR technology utilizes a novel SPAD architecture enabling an unprecedented flat spectral response. A high photon detection efficiency (PDE) of 50% is maintained from 400 nm to 750 nm, bridging the spectral ranges traditionally covered by separate NUV- and NIR-SiPM technologies. Along with the high and flat PDE, the BroadR technology offers superior dynamic range. Indeed, the this PDE level is achieved with a SPAD pitch of 14 µm and a recharge time constant that can be designed to be well below 10ns.

NUV-DJ The NUV-DJ technology significantly increases PDE at wavelengths above 420 nm compared to NUV-MT, while maintaining excellent NUV sensitivity from 250 nm to 420 nm. At 500 nm, PDE improves from 52% to 62% with the same 40 µm SPAD pitch. The correlated noise of NUV-DJ is also lower compared to NUV-MT at the same PDE. This high PDE and low noise enable best-in-class coincidence time resolution (CTR) for LYSO-based TOF-PET, expand applications to green-emitting scintillators like GAGG, and enable BGO-based Cherenkov TOF-PET. Initial characterization results for NUV-DJ will be presented.

Broadcom’s NUV SiPMs find application in TOF-PET, Cherenkov-PET, radiation spectroscopy, photon-counting X-ray detection & PCCT, flow cytometry, and time-gated fluorescence.