CZT strip detectors for imaging and spectroscopy: collimated beam and ASIC readout experiments

We report the status of ongoing investigations into Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) strip detectors for application in hard X-ray astronomy. We have instrumented a nine strip by nine strip region of a two sided strip detector made in our detector fabrication facility. In order to measure the position resolution of our detectors, we have implemented a collimated beam that concentrates radiation to a spot size less than the strip width of our detector. We have also performed charge collection studies as a function of incident photon energy and bias voltage with a single sided, 100 /spl mu/m pitch CZT strip detector wire bonded to an SVX ASIC charge amplifier. The detectors exhibited excellent strip uniformity in terms of photon count rate and spectroscopic information.