Title :
An abuttable CCD imager for visible and X-ray focal plane arrays
Author :
Burke, B. ; Mountain, R. ; Harrison, Dew ; Reinold, J. ; Doherty, Ciaran ; Ricker, G. ; Bautz, M. ; Doty, J.
Author_Institution :
Lincoln Lab., MIT, Lexington, MA, USA
Abstract :
Large multichip arrays for close-abutted CCDs (charged-coupled devices) are needed for surveillance applications in the visible band and for X-ray astronomy missions such as the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility and the ASTRO-D satellite. A 420*420 pixel frame-transfer CCD imager which is designed to be abutted to other imagers on three sides so that arrays of 2*N chips can be constructed has been developed. A three-phase, triple-poly, buried-channel process is used, and the die size is 12 mm*20 mm. The arrays provide low-noise readout circuitry and high charge-transfer efficiency at low charge levels, critical requirements for both of the above applications. The device has also been shown to be suitable as a soft X-ray imager operating in a spectroscopic mode.<>
Keywords :
CCD image sensors; X-ray astronomy; X-ray detection and measurement; astronomical instruments; 176400 pixel; 420 pixel; ASTRO-D satellite; Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility; X-ray astronomy missions; abuttable CCD imager; buried-channel process; charged-coupled devices; focal plane arrays; frame-transfer; high charge-transfer efficiency; low charge levels; low-noise readout circuitry; multichip arrays; soft X-ray imager; spectroscopic mode; surveillance applications; three-phase; triple-poly; visible band; 1f noise; Charge coupled devices; Circuits; Clocks; Electrons; Parasitic capacitance; Phased arrays; Pixel; Space technology; X-ray imaging;
Conference_Titel :
Solid-State Circuits Conference, 1989. Digest of Technical Papers. 36th ISSCC., 1989 IEEE International
Conference_Location :
New York, NY, USA
DOI :
10.1109/ISSCC.1989.48196
