Low-Noise Signal Processing Chain for High Capacitance Sensors

A low-noise readout array is proposed for use with high capacitance detectors. The readout array is composed of a preamplifier/amplifier chain. The signal processing chain is designed for use with CdZnTe gamma ray detectors employed by NASA for radiation detection. This approach employs correlated double sampling and capacitive matching to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The readout array is custom designed to fit into one detector pixel. The preamplifier/amplifier chain is designed and fabricated in 0.13 mum CMOS8RF IBM technology. The readout array results show that the SNR is significantly improved compared to previous work done in this field.