Development of next-generation nuclear physics integrated readout electronics for GRETINA

Advances in nuclear structure studies using gamma-ray spectroscopy are being driven by large-volume, electrically-segmented germanium detectors such as the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking In-Beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) and, in the future, GRETA. GRETINA employs 28 close-packed high-purity germanium detectors with 36 segments each assembled on a support structure covering 1-π of the target position. GRETA will use the same type of detectors as GRETINA and it will cover the full 4-π. To fully realize the potential of these detectors in terms of energy and position resolution, event rate and usability, a next-generation integrated readout electronics system is required with an emphasis on channel density, data throughput, low noise, low power and testability. Addressing these areas of research will have a positive impact in these large spectrometer arrays. The present research includes (a) the design and characterization of charge sensitive amplifier application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for smaller dimension, lower noise and power dissipation, (b) design of a detector-mounted, low-power small form factor signal digitization to address issues in the analog-to-digital (ADC) linearity and to reduce the cable plant, including the design and characterization of a high speed ADC ASIC and (c) strategies to filter the microphonic noise using adaptive filtering. In this paper we will report the status of this research. Also, observe that although the target of this research is GRETINA, these approaches could be used in other Nuclear Science experiments.