2K×2K resolution element photon counting MCP sensor with >200 kHz event rate capability

Siegmund Scientific undertook a NASA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to develop a versatile, high-performance photon (or particle) counting detector combining recent technical advances in all aspects of Microchannel Plate (MCP) detector development in a low cost, commercially viable package that can support a variety of applications. The detector concept consists of a set of MCPs whose output electron pulses are read out with a crossed delay line (XDL) anode and associated high-speed event encoding electronics. The delay line anode allows high-resolution photon event centroiding at very high event rates and can be scaled to large formats (>40 mm) while maintaining good linearity and high temporal stability. The optimal sensitivity wavelength range is determined by the choice of opaque photocathodes. Specific achievements included: spatial resolution of <25 μm FWHM; formats from 25 to 40 mm with digitized pixel sizes of ∼3 μm; total detector rates of >200 000 events s−1; local rates of >100 events s−1 per resolution element; event timing of <1 ns; and low background counting rates (<1 event cm−2 s−1).