A three-dimensional FPGA array beam detector for ionizing radiation experiments

This paper presents the approach of using an array of SRAM-based FPGAs as low-cost translational beam detector in particle accelerator experiments. It benefits from the well known radiation susceptibility of such devices and introduces a per-chip bit-flip readback counter which allows a three-dimensional graphical representation of the spanned detection area. Live translational tracking, logging and flux calculation are feasible features. Only low voltage (5V) as well as a JTAG programmer are required by the detector array. This simplifies the experimental assembly in comparison to common detector electronics like scintillators or gas ionization chambers.