An abuttable CCD imager for visible and X-ray focal plane arrays

Large multichip arrays for close-abutted CCDs (charged-coupled devices) are needed for surveillance applications in the visible band and for X-ray astronomy missions such as the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility and the ASTRO-D satellite. A 420*420 pixel frame-transfer CCD imager which is designed to be abutted to other imagers on three sides so that arrays of 2*N chips can be constructed has been developed. A three-phase, triple-poly, buried-channel process is used, and the die size is 12 mm*20 mm. The arrays provide low-noise readout circuitry and high charge-transfer efficiency at low charge levels, critical requirements for both of the above applications. The device has also been shown to be suitable as a soft X-ray imager operating in a spectroscopic mode.<
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