New concepts in silicon calorimetry for space experiments

In the framework of the INFN R&D project CASIS, we have designed a new double-sided silicon strip detector with parallel strips, optimised for calorimetry. The idea is to read out p and n strips with two types of electronics, having different sensitivities and ranges, in order to increase the overall dynamic range by covering different signal regions. We present results from a test beam we performed at TSL (Uppsala, Sweden) with N, O and Ne ions with energies above 40 MeV/n. The design of a new front-end integrated circuit, with ultra-large dynamic range (more than 10,000 MIP) is under way and the first prototypes will be produced by the end of 2003.