A 1-μW Radiation-Hard Front-End in a 0.18-μm CMOS Process for the MALTA2 Monolithic Sensor

Abstract

In this article, a low-power, radiation-hard frontend circuit for monolithic pixel sensors, designed to meet the requirements of low noise and low pixel-to-pixel variability, the key features to achieve high detection efficiencies, is presented.

Recent results with radiation-tolerant TowerJazz 180 nm MALTA sensors

“…A similar study of front-end irradiation to that of Ref. [12] was performed at a higher threshold (500 e − ) using a sensor with higher doping concentration in the n-type blanket implant, which produced a consistent picture of ENC development (figure 1).…”

“…MALTA2 is the latest full-scale prototype monolithic sensor in the MALTA family, designed for use in experimental conditions similar to those of the HL-LHC. The front-end electronics of this sensor have been shown to be fully functional following irradiation up to 3 • 10 15 1 MeV n eq /cm 2 and 100 MRad [12].…”

“…A series of studies from Ref. [12] were presented, which characterise the MALTA2 front-end electronics and demonstrate its radiation tolerance up to 3•10 15 1 MeV n eq /cm 2 and 100 MRad. The MALTA2 equivalent noise charge (ENC) is observed to increase monotonically vs. TID when the front-end settings are adjusted to maintain a constant threshold of 100 e − .…”

“…This sensor features a fast asynchronous readout capable of operating at 5 Gbps [11], sufficient for environments with hit rates on the order of 100 MHz/cm 2 . MALTA2 improves on the original MALTA sensor by cascoding the M3 transistor and enlarging the M4 transistor and CS capacitor [12]. These changes result in reduced noise tails compared to the original MALTA when operating at the same threshold and bias.…”

Development of a large-area, light-weight module using the MALTA monolithic pixel detector

“…The goal of MALTA is to develop a radiation hard (2.0 × 10 15 1 MeV n eq /cm 2 , >100 Mrad), high-granularity (36.4 × 36.4 μm) and large-area (2 × 2 cm 2 realized, 3 × 2 cm 2 foreseen) monolithic silicon pixel detector with a small charge collection electrode design. Two full-sized versions, MALTA and MALTA2, have been produced with the third generation, MALTA3, currently under design [1][2][3].…”