Prototype AEGIS: A Pixel-Array Readout Circuit for Gamma-Ray Imaging.
Semiconductor detector arrays made of CdTe/CdZnTe are expected to be the main components of future high-performance, clinical nuclear medicine imaging systems. Such systems will require small pixel-pitch and much larger numbers of pixels than are available in current semiconductor-detector cameras. We describe the motivation for developing a new readout integrated circuit, AEGIS, for use in hybrid semiconductor detector arrays, that may help spur the development of future cameras. A basic design for AEGIS is presented together with results of an HSPICE™simulation of the performance of its unit cell. AEGIS will have a shaper-amplifier unit cell and neighbor pixel readout. Other features include the use of a single input power line with other biases generated on-board, a control register that allows digital control of all thresholds and chip configurations and an output approach that is compatible with list-mode data acquisition. An 8×8 prototype version of AEGIS is currently under development; the full AEGIS will be a 64×64 array with 300 μm pitch.
Center for Gamma-Ray Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724.
H Bradford
HB
Barber
Augustine Engineering, Encinitas, CA 92024.
F L
FL
Augustine
Center for Gamma-Ray Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724.
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L
Furenlid
Center for Gamma-Ray Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724.
C M
CM
Ingram
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545.
G P
GP
Grim
CZT; CdTe; CdZnTe; hybrid detector; medical imaging; nuclear medicine; readout integrated circuit; semiconductor camera; semiconductor detector