A charge-sensitive amplifier associated with APD or PMT for 511 keV, photon-pair detection

Abstract For positron emission tomography scanners requiring 511 keV two-photon detection, we present a charge-sensitive amplifier (CSA) to be associated with an avalanche photodiode (APD) or photo-multiplier tube (PMT). It is a two-stage structure. The input stage consists of a folded-cascode fully differential circuit and a common-mode feedback (CMFB) circuit. Feedforward technique is implemented to enhance frequency performance. The output stage employs complementary source followers. The amplifier has been designed in a 0.35-μm BiCMOS process with analysis and optimization of noise and speed performances. Testing of fabricated prototypes has given results in good agreement with post-layout simulated ones. The evaluated characteristics of the circuit are: 26 ns peaking time for pulsed stimulus, 2000 electron equivalent input noise charge (ENC) for a detector capacitance up to 80 pF and 136 mW power consumption from a 3.5-V supply.

[1]  D Visvikis,et al.  PET technology: current trends and future developments. , 2004, The British journal of radiology.

[2]  H. G. Moser,et al.  Silicon detector systems in high energy physics , 2009 .

[3]  J. Lecoq,et al.  Test and optimization of timing algorithms for PET detectors with digital sampling front-end , 2008, 2008 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record.

[4]  Claude Colledani,et al.  A Full-Custom Mixed-Signal CMOS Front-End Readout Chip for High Efficiency Small Animal PET Imaging , 2007, 2007 14th IEEE International Conference on Electronics, Circuits and Systems.

[5]  Veljko Radeka,et al.  LOW-NOISE TECHNIQUES IN DETECTORS , 1988 .

[6]  P. Aspell,et al.  CMOS low noise amplifier for microstrip readout Design and results , 1991 .

[7]  Paul O'Connor,et al.  Prospects for charge sensitive amplifiers in scaled CMOS , 2002 .

[8]  S. Machlup,et al.  Noise in Semiconductors: Spectrum of a Two‐Parameter Random Signal , 1954 .

[9]  E. P. Vandamme,et al.  Critical discussion on unified 1/f noise models for MOSFETs , 2000 .

[10]  M. Boutemeur,et al.  Innovative Electronics Architecture for PET Imaging , 2006, 2006 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record.

[11]  Willy Sansen,et al.  Feedforward compensation techniques for high-frequency CMOS amplifiers , 1990 .

[12]  Marek Idzik,et al.  Design of low noise charge amplifier in sub-micron technology for fast shaping time , 2006 .

[13]  Helmuth Spieler,et al.  Semiconductor Detector Systems , 2005 .

[14]  Owen Bishop.  Electronics - Circuits and Systems , 2007 .

[15]  F. Hooge.  1/f noise sources , 1994 .

[16]  Robert G. Meyer,et al.  Analysis and Design of Analog Integrated Circuits , 1993 .

[17]  Yongcai Hu,et al.  Design and performance of a low-noise, low-power consumption CMOS charge amplifier for capacitive detectors , 1998 .