Large area high-resolution CCD-based X-ray detector for macromolecular crystallography

An X-ray detector system for macromolecular crystallography based on a large area charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor has been developed as part of a large research and development programme for advanced X-ray sensor technology, funded by industry and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) in the UK. The prototype detector consists of two large area three-sides buttable charge-coupled devices (CCD 46-62 EEV), where the single CCD area is 55.3 mm×41.5 mm. Overall detector imaging area is easily extendable to 85 mm×110 mm. The detector consists of an optically coupled X-ray sensitive phosphor, skewed fibre-optic studs and CCDs. The crystallographic measurement requirements at synchrotron sources are met through a high spatial resolution (2048×1536 pixel array), high dynamic range (∼105), a fast readout (∼1 s), low noise (<10e−) and much reduced parallax error. Additionally, the prototype detector system has been optimised by increasing its efficiency at low X-ray energies for use at conventional lab sources. The system design of the prototype detector is discussed and the proposed method for crystallographic data processing is briefly outlined.