Realization of a versatile high-speed bipolar charge sensitive preamplifier for calorimeter applications

A versatile high-speed Charge Sensitive Preamplifier (CSP) to be used in silicon calorimeters is presented. The main features of this circuit are low noise, high slew-rate (larger than 500V/¿s), high dynamic range (of the order of 90dB), and 100¿ output drive capability. The bias current of the CSP can be adjusted, in order to optimise the trade-off between power and noise for different operation conditions, by varying a single external component. Moreover, the power supply can be set in the 3.3-12V range optimizing the power dissipation-over-output swing ratio. The CSP is realized in bipolar technology which has proven to be radiation hardened.