Charge-coupled devices with fast timing for astrophysics and space physics research

Michael L. Cherry, Louisiana State University
Peter P. Altice, Louisiana State University
Steven B. Ellison, Louisiana State University
T. Gregory Guzik, Louisiana State University
John R. Macri, Louisiana State University
Mark L. McConnell, Louisiana State University
G. Y. McLean, Louisiana State University
James M. Ryan, Louisiana State University
Paul P. Suni, Louisiana State University

Abstract

A charge coupled device is under development with fast timing capability (15 millisecond full frame readout, 30 microsecond resolution for measuring the time of individual pixel hits). The fast timing CCD will be used in conjunction with a CsI microfiber array or segmented scintillator matrix detector to detect x rays and gamma rays with submillimeter position resolution. The initial application will be in conjunction with a coded aperture hard x ray/gamma ray astronomy instrument. We describe the concept and the readout architecture of the device.