Characterization of the 8-channel single-photon counting front-end chip for the upgrade of the LHCb RICH detectors

An 8-channel front-end ASIC has been designed in 0.35 micron CMOS technology for the upgrade of the LHCb RICH detectors at CERN. The chip allows fast single-photon counting up to 40 MHz, with a peaking time of 5 ns and a power consumption of about 1 mW per channel. Results of the characterisation of the first version of the chip are presented, including measurements in the lab with a dedicated test system. Radiation hardness tests are described as well, including measurements of total-ionising dose and single event effects.