Speaker
Description
We present APOCAT, an integrated circuit (IC) for reading out spaceborne photon detectors, i.e., photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The circuit can be used in x-ray and gamma-ray detectors, for example, the advanced space-based solar observatory ASO-S. ASO-S shall be launched in 2022 to study solar flares and coronal mass ejections on the Sun. APOCAT is related to SIPHRA, another SiPM/PMT readout circuit. APOCAT has the following main key features: 1. High-rate analog pulse height processing and energy resolved counting, simultaneously and asynchronously, in each channel (1Mcps/channel); 2. Low equivalent noise charge (ENC) for triggering and counting of single photons (<50fC ENC), 3. On-chip ADC (12-bit/2Msps), 4. High radiation tolerance. Samples have been manufactured and the design has been characterized. Work remains for flight model qualification.
