Development of large-area CCD-based x-ray detector for macromolecular crystallography

M. Pokric; Nigel M. Allinson; Anthony R. Jorden; Matthew P. Cox; Andrew Roy Marshall; P. Graham Long; Kevin Moon; Paul Jerram; Peter J. Pool; Colin Nave; Gareth E. Derbyshire; John R. Helliwell

doi:10.1117/12.367122

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6 October 1999 Development of large-area CCD-based x-ray detector for macromolecular crystallography

M. Pokric; Nigel M. Allinson; Anthony R. Jorden; Matthew P. Cox; Andrew Roy Marshall; P. Graham Long; Kevin Moon; Paul Jerram; Peter J. Pool; Colin Nave; Gareth E. Derbyshire; John R. Helliwell

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Proceedings Volume 3774, Detectors for Crystallography and Diffraction Studies at Synchrotron Sources; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.367122
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1999, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The design and development of an area CCD-based X-ray detector system, using the first CCD imagers specially designed for macromolecular crystallography, is presented. The system is intended to produce the highest quality data for physically small crystals at synchrotron sources through the use of large CCDs--that is approaching wafer scale. This work is part of a large research and development program for advanced X-ray sensor technology, funded by industry and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council in the UK. The detector has been optimized by increasing its efficiency at low X-ray energies for conventional laboratory sources, and offers fast readout and high dynamic range needed for efficient measurements at synchrotron sources. The detector consists of CCDs optically coupled to a X-ray sensitive phosphor via skewed fiber-optic studs. The individual three- sides buttable CCD consists of 2048 X 1536 27 micrometers square pixels (55.3 X 41.5 mm). The pixel size has been optimized to match diffraction spot profiling needs and the high dynamic range required for such applications. The multiple amplifier outputs possess switched responsivity to maximize the trade-off between signal handling capabilities and linearity. The readout noise is 5 electrons rms at a 1 MHz pixel rate at the high responsivity setting. A prototype detector system comprising two close-butted cooled CCDs is being developed. This system employs a high-efficiency scintillator with very low point spread function, skewed optical-fiber studs (instead of the more usual demagnifying tapers) to maximize the system's detective quantum efficiency and minimize optical distortions. Full system specifications and a novel crystallographic data processing are presented.

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M. Pokric, Nigel M. Allinson, Anthony R. Jorden, Matthew P. Cox, Andrew Roy Marshall, P. Graham Long, Kevin Moon, Paul Jerram, Peter J. Pool, Colin Nave, Gareth E. Derbyshire, and John R. Helliwell "Development of large-area CCD-based x-ray detector for macromolecular crystallography", Proc. SPIE 3774, Detectors for Crystallography and Diffraction Studies at Synchrotron Sources, (6 October 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.367122