An ultrafast front-end ASIC for APD array detectors in X-ray time-resolved experiments

An ultrafast front-end ASIC chip has been developed for APD array detectors in X-ray time-resolved experiments. The chip has five channels: four complete channels and one test channel with an analog output. Each complete channel consists of a preamplifier, a voltage discriminator and an open-drain output driver. A prototype chip has been designed and fabricated using 0.13 μm CMOS technology with a chip size of 1.3 mm×1.9 mm. The electrical characterizations of the circuit demonstrate a very good intrinsic time resolution(rms) on the output pulse leading edge, with the test result better than 30 ps for high input signal charges( 75 fC) and better than 100 ps for low input signal charges(30–75 fC), while keeping a low power consumption of 5 mW per complete channel.     

Toward a fractal spectrum approach for neutron and gamma pulse shape discrimination

Accurately selecting neutron signals and discriminating 7 signals from a mixed radiation field is a key research issue in neutron detection.This paper proposes a fractal spectrum discrimination approach by means of different spectral characteristics of neutrons and 7 rays.Figure of merit and average discriminant error ratio are used together to evaluate the discrimination effccts.Different neutron and γ signals with various noise and pulse pile-up are simulated according to real data in the literature.The proposed approach is compared with the digital charge integration and pulse gradient methods.It is found that the fractal approach exhibits the best discrimination performance,followed by the digital charge integration method and the pulse gradient method,respectively.The fractal spectrum approach is not sensitive to high frequency noise;and pulse pile-up.This means that the proposed approach has superior performance for effective and efficient anti-noise and high discrimination in neutron detection.     

Highly Stable, Diode-Pumped Nd：YLF Regenerative Amplifier

We present the design and experimental results for a diode pumped Nd：YLF regenerative amplifier applied to amplify a nanosecond laser pulse. Numerical simulation shows that the maximum output energy and the best stability can be obtained when the regenerative amplifier operates in a saturated mode for all pulse duration and temporal profiles. Using extra post-pulse is a good method to decrease the square-pulse distortion caused by gain saturation effect. The amplifier shows output energy of 4.2mJ with a total energy gain of more than 10^7 and output energy stability of better than 1% rms. When extra post-pulse is added, square-pulse distortion is decreased from 1.33 to 1.17 for the amplifier that is seeded with an optical pulse of 3ns.     

Theory of noise in a kilo-Hz cascaded high-energy Yb-doped nanosecond pulsed fiber amplifier

A theoretical analysis of noise in a high-power cascaded fiber amplifier is presented. Unlike the noise theory in low power communication, the noise of a high power system is redefined as the leaked output energy between pulses with coherent beat noise uncounted. This definition is more appropriate for high power usage in which the pulse energy receives more attention than the pulse shape integrity. Then the low power pre-amplifying stages are considered as linear amplification and analyzed by linear theory. In the high-power amplification stages, the inversion is assumed to recover linearly in the time interval between pulses. The time shape of the output pulse is different from that of the input signal because of different gains at the front and back ends of the pulse. Then, a criterion is provided to distinguish the nonlinear and linear amplifications based on the signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） analysis. Then, an experiment that shows that the output SNR actually drops off in nonlinear amplification is performed. The change in the noise factor can be well evaluated by pulse shape distortion.     

Influences of finite gain bandwidth on pulse propagation in parabolic fiber amplifiers with distributed gain profiles

The evolutions of the pulses propagating in decreasing and increasing gain distributed fiber amplifiers with finite gain bandwidths are investigated by simulations with the nonlinear Schr¨odinger equation. The results show that the parabolic pulse propagations in both the decreasing and the increasing gain amplifiers are restricted by the finite gain bandwidth. For a given input pulse, by choosing a small initial gain coefficient and gain variation rate, the whole gain for the pulse amplification limited by the gain bandwidth may be higher, which is helpful for the enhancement of the output linearly chirped pulse energy. Compared to the decreasing gain distributed fiber amplifier, the increasing gain distributed amplifier may be more conducive to suppress the pulse spectral broadening and increase the critical amplifier length for achieving a larger output linearly chirped pulse energy.     

Compact and high-energy diode-side-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG slab laser system for space application

We develop a compact and high-energy Nd：YAG slab laser system consisting of an oscillator and an amplifier for space applications. The oscillator is a diode-side-pumped electro-optically Q-switched slab laser with a cross-Porro resonator. The KD＊P Pockels cell with a low driving voltage of 950 V is used to polarization output coupling. The amplifier is a Nd：YAG zigzag slab pumped at bounces. The maximum output pulse energy of 341 m3 with 13 ns pulse duration is obtained from the system at the repetition rate of 20 Hz and the beam quality factors are M2=3.1 and M2=3.5. The beam pointing stabilities of the laser system are 3.05μrad in the X-direction and 3.99 grad in the Y-direction, respectively.     

Broadly Tunable SOA-Based Active Mode-Locked Fibre Ring aser by Forward Injection Optical Pulse

We present a broadly tunable active mode-locked fibre ring laser based on a semiconductor optical amplifier （SOA）, with forward injection optical pulses. The laser can generate pulse sequence with pulsewidth about 12ps and high output power up to 8.56 dBm at 2.5 GHz stably. Incorporated with a wavelength-tunable optical bandpass filter, the pulse laser can operate with a broad wavelength tunable span up to 37nm with almost constant pulsewidth. A detailed experimental analysis is also carried out to investigate the relationship between the power of the internal cavity and the pulsewidth of the output pulse sequence. The experimental configuration of the pulse laser is very simple and easy to setup with no polarization-sensitive components.     

High gain low noise L-band preamplifier with cascade double-pass structure

An optimized two-stage-cascade double-pass structure L-band preamplifier was proposed and experimentally studied to overcome the shortcomings of low gain coefficient and high noise figure of L-band erbiumdoped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The fiber lengthes of 6.5 and 32.5 m, pump powers of 130 and 119 mW for the first and second stages respectively are used in the experiment. When input signal power is-30 dBm, the amplifier can provide gain above 38.84 dB in a wavelength range of 34 nm (1568-1602 nm), gain ripple less than 2.04 dB (40.88-38.84 dB), and noise figures lower than 5.29 dB with the lowest value of 3.95 dB at 1590 nm. Experimental and simulation results show that this low cost and high pump efficiency amplifier is suitable for the application as an L-band preamplifier in the broadband fiber communication system.     

High-power all-fiber 1.0/1.5 μm dual-band pulsed MOPA source

The simultaneous dual-band pulsed amplification is demonstrated from an Er/Yb co-doped fiber(EYDF), and consequently a high-power all-fiber single-mode 1.0/1.5 μm dual-band pulsed master oscillator power amplifier(MOPA) laser source is realized for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, based on one singlegain fiber. The simultaneous outputs at 1061 and 1548 nm of the laser source have the maximum powers of 10.7 and 25.8 W with the pulse widths of 9.5 ps and 2 ns and the pulse repetition rates of 178 and 25 MHz, respectively. This EYDF MOPA laser source is seeded by two separate preamplifier chains operating at 1.0 and 1.5 μm wavebands. The dependence of the laser output powers on the length of the large-mode area EYDF, the ratio of the powers of the two signals launched into the booster amplifier, and the wavelength of the 1 μm seed signal are also investigated experimentally.     

MMIC LNA based novel composite-channel Al0.3Ga0.7N/Al0.05Ga0.95N/GaN HEMTs

A microwave monolithic integrated circuit （MMIC） C-band low noise amplifier （LNA） using 1 μm-gate composite-channel Al0.3Ga0.7N/Al0.05Ga0.95N/GaN high electron mobility transistors （CC-HEMTs） has been designed, fabricated and characterized. The material structure and special channel of CC-HEMT were given and analysed. The MMIC LNA with CC-HEMT showed a noise figure of 2.4 dB, an associated gain of 12.3 dB, an input return loss of -6 dB and an output return loss of -16 dB at 6GHz. The IIP3 of the LNA is 13 dBm at 6 GHz. The LNA with 1 μm ×100 μm device showed very high-dynamic range with decent gain and noise figure.[第一段]     

HIRFL-CSR外靶终端上硅微条探测器阵列的搭建

硅微条探测器因具有很强的位置分辨率与能量分辨率而在世界各大核物理实验室得到广泛应用。中国科学院近代物理研究所研制了性能优越、位置精度达到0.5 mm×0.5 mm的双面硅微条探测器,用于HIRFL-CSR的外靶实验终端谱仪(ETF)上,用作径迹测量以及△E-E望远镜系统△E的探测。硅微条探测器体积小、集成度高,利用柔性印刷电路板(FPCB)引出信号,配合ASIC芯片的前端电路,能够方便地给出每一条的能量信息和位置信息。在此详细阐述了在HIRFL-CSR的ETF上双面硅微条探测器阵列的搭建,并测量了放射源在真空中探测单元的能量分辨本领。结果表明,该硅条探测器的每个探测单元对5~9 MeV能量的α粒子的能量分辨率在1%左右。     

Performance of a dual-stage semiconductor laser amplifier for optical transmission repeater system

The performance of a dual-stage semiconductor laser amplifier consisting of a preamplifier and a power amplifier is evaluated theoretically and experimentally. The dual-stage optical amplifier can offer high-gain amplification with low noise figure by using a low-noise amplifier as a preamplifier. Using the dual-stage amplifier, 2.4 Gbits^–1 193 km optical fibre transmission was demonstrated. In addition, by applying an automatic power control system to the dual-stage amplifier, output power stabilization with wide dynamic range was obtained.     

Analyse of Corrections during Measurements of Charge of a Semiconductor Detector

The amplitude of signals coming from a semiconductor detector depends on the a amplifier system filter networks, detector physical properties and energy of particles measured. The absolute measuring of detector charge requires an analysis of the influence of the mentioned parameters upon the measuring system reaction. The paper gives the theoretical concepts and correction diagrams for the optimum filter networks of CR-RC and CR-(RC)² tapes taking into consideration the existence of an undesirable integrating constant of the charge sensitive preamplifier. The application of the presented diagrams increases the accuracy and helps checking the obtained results by a pulse generator.     

高场核磁共振波谱仪宽带前置放大器的研制

宽带前置放大器是磁共振仪器的重要部件,其性能决定了整个仪器X核通道的检测灵敏度. 根据射频电路理论以及磁共振波谱仪整体性能指标的要求,设计并实现了可应用于高场核磁共振波谱仪的高性能宽带前置放大器. 实测结果表明,所研制的核磁共振波谱仪宽带前置放大器在15 MHz~300 MHz频率范围内,其工作性能达到：带内增益>38 dB,带内平坦度<1.5 dB,噪声系数基本保持在1.2 dB以下,射频开关切换时间<1.5 μs,具有带内增益平坦度高,噪声系数小,发射状态下放大器前端保护电路隔离度高,以及工作状态检测电路准确、简洁的特点. 同时高场核磁共振碳和磷等杂核实验显示,利用所研制的宽带前置放大器可检测到具有较高信噪比的NMR信号.     

塑料闪烁体阵列探测器读出ASIC中峰值保持电路的设计

塑料闪烁体阵列探测器(PSD,简称塑闪阵列探测器)的输出信号经过前置放大器和滤波成形电路后输出准高斯波形,利用峰值保持电路可对准高斯波形信号的峰值进行采样和保持,以便后续的电子学系统对其进行进一步的分析。本工作采用180 nm CMOS工艺设计并实现了一款峰值保持电路ASIC芯片,每通道主要由跨导放大器(OTA)、电流镜和充电电容三部分电路组成。实验室电子学功能和性能测试结果表明:峰值保持电路功能良好;输入动态范围为33~940 mV,非线性误差优于0.8%,下垂速率好于8.6 μV/μs,峰值探测延迟时间小于35 ns,芯片单通道静态功耗为825 μW,达到设计要求。     

延迟线阳极紫外光子探测器研究

基于微通道板(MCP)的延迟线阳极探测器利用信号到达延迟线两端的时间差得到入射光子的位置信息,具有高空间分辨率、高计数率的特点,被广泛应用于紫外光谱成像系统中。分析了延迟线阳极紫外光子探测器的工作原理,提出一种新型二维延迟线阳极,仅由阳极表面收集经MCP倍增后的电子云团,上层延迟线直接收集电子,下层延迟线通过置于顶层的焊盘收集电子。该阳极采用印刷电路板(PCB)加工制作,大大简化了制作工艺。测试结果表明,阳极探测器空间分辨率FWHM优于92 μm,成像非线性小于100 μm。实验结果证明了该延迟线阳极探测器进行紫外光子成像的可行性,为研制远紫外波段成像光谱仪提供了理论基础及实验指导。     

高稳定激光脉冲波形精密调控技术研究与应用

提出了基于激光脉冲波形精密调控和能量稳定性控制的双回路同步闭环设计方法,进而在任意波形发生器与预放大系统输出处建立脉冲波形闭环控制系统,在保偏大模场光纤放大器和再生放大器间建立能量稳定性闭环系统。依托大口径高通量实验平台,实现了激光脉冲波形的快速高稳定精密调控,脉冲波形闭环精度优于2%（RMS）,脉冲能量稳定性优于5%（PV）。该技术成功应用到物理实验正式发射中,常规整形脉冲波形的功率准确度优于2%,相关结果有力支撑了ICF激光驱动器激光参数精密调控设计。     

Development of series SQUID array with on-chip filter for TES detector

A cold preamplifier based on superconducting quantum interference devices(SQUIDs)is currently the preferred readout technology for the low-noise transition edge sensor(TES).In this work,we have designed and fabricated a series SQUID array(SSA)amplifier for the TES detector readout circuit.In this SSA amplifier,each SQUID cell is composed of a first-order gradiometer formed using two equally large square washers,and an on-chip low pass filter(LPF)as a radiofrequency(RF)choke has been developed to reduce the Josephson oscillation interference between individual SQUID cells.In addition,a highly symmetric layout has been designed carefully to provide a fully consistent embedded electromagnetic environment and achieve coherent flux operation.The measured results show smooth V-Φcharacteristics and a swing voltage that increases linearly with increasing SQUID cell number N.A white flux noise level as low as 0.28μφ;/Hz;is achieved at 0.1 K,corresponding to a low current noise level of 7 pA/Hz;.We analyze the measured noise contribution at mK-scale temperatures and find that the dominant noise derives from a combination of the SSA intrinsic noise and the equivalent current noise of the room temperature electronics.     

非制冷红外探测器读出电路的非均匀性研究

对于长线列的非制冷红外探测器组件, 不同探测元之间的非均匀性是衡量电路设计的关键指标. 为了实现长线列非制冷红外探测器的高性能读出, 本文设计了一种基于电流镜方式的非制冷红外探测器160线列读出电路, 电路由电流镜输入模块、电容负反馈互导放大器模块及相关双采样输出模块组成. 电路采用0.5 μm工艺制作完成. 通过合理设置电路中MOS管的参数和布局电流镜版图, 电路的非均匀性有了明显地改善. 通过测试, 电路的非均匀性小于1%, 器件总功耗约为100 mW, 并具有良好的低噪声特性, 输出噪声小于1 mV, 输出摆幅大于2 V. 该电路与160线列非制冷红外探测器互连后, 能较好地完成红外信号的读出, 在积分时间为20 μups的情况下, 器件的响应为0.294 mV/Ω, 整体性能良好. 该电路的研制对超长线列的非制冷红外冷探测器读出电路研制奠定了重要的技术基础.     

GdBr3:Ce in glass matrix as nuclear spectroscopy detector

An alumina-silica glass cylinder with cerium-activated gadolinium bromide, 2.5 cm in diameter and 3 cm long was cast to form a scintillation detector for spectral analysis of nuclear radiation, especially gamma rays. The detector, operated with a conventional photomultiplier tube and associated power supply, amplifier, and multichannel analyzer, shows for the first time for this material system a set of spectra that include well-defined full-energy gamma-ray peaks from 59.5 keV to 2500 keV. The full-energy peaks were characterized in terms of pulse height linearity, resolution, and counting efficiency. Energy spectral resolution also was demonstrated for alpha particles, beta particles, and ²³⁹Pu/Be neutrons. Gamma-ray detection efficiency was comparable to a conventional NaI(Tl) detector of similar volume but peak resolution at 662 keV in this new detector type was currently only 27%, compared to about 7% for the NaI(Tl) detector. Improved light output and thus resolution is being sought by optimizing glass compositions and processing.