Merlin: a fast versatile readout system for Medipix3

Abstract

This contribution reports on the development of a new high rate readout system for the Medipix3 hybrid pixel ASIC developed by the Detector Group at Diamond Light Source. It details the current functionality of the system and initial results from tests on Diamond's B16 beamline.The Merlin system is based on a National Instruments PXI/FlexRIO system running a Xilinx Virtex5 FPGA. It is capable of recording Medipix3 256 by 256 by 12 bit data frames at over 1 kHz in bursts of 1200 frames and running at over 100 Hz continuously to disk or over a TCP/IP link. It is compatible with the standard Medipix3 single chipboards developed at CERN and is capable of driving them over cable lengths of up to 10 m depending on the data rate required. In addition to a standalone graphical interface, a system of remote TCP/IP control and data transfer has been developed to allow easy integration with third party control systems and scripting languages.Two Merlin systems are being deployed on the B16 and I16 beamlines at Diamond and the system has been integrated with the EPICS/GDA control systems used. Results from trigger synchronisation, fast burst and high rate tests made on B16 in March are reported and demonstrate an encouraging reliability and timing accuracy. In addition to normal high resolution imaging applications of Medipix3, the results indicate the system could profitably be used in 'pump and probe' style experiments, where a very accurate, high frame rate is especially beneficial. In addition to these two systems, Merlin is being used by the Detector Group to test the Excalibur 16 chip hybrid modules, and by the LHCb VELO Pixel Upgrade group in their forthcoming testbeams.Additionally the contribution looks forward to further developments and improvements in the system, including full rate quad chip readout capability, multi-FPGA support, long distance optical communication and further functionality enhancements built on the capabilities of the Medipix3 chips.

Medipix3RX: Characterizing the Medipix3 Redesign With Synchrotron Radiation

“…It is based on the National Instruments PXI/FlexRIO system running a Xilinx Virtex5 FPGA, while a LabVIEW user interface controls the ASIC readout specifications and monitors the data acquisition. Detailed specification of the PCB designed for the Medipix3 ASIC is described in [21] and on the capabilities/features of the readout system in [22].…”

Toward the Optimized Spintronic Response of Sn‐Doped IrO2 Thin Films

“…Three 100 mm Si(555) spherical analyzer crystals were used to select the L β1 (10 708 eV) emission line, while three 100 mm Si(642) crystals were used in the case of the L α1 (9175 eV) emission line. An ion chamber filled with the optimum gas mixture to absorb 15% of the incident radiation at the Ir L 3 and L 2 ‐edge energies was used as incident monitor, while a Medipix area detector was used to collect the intensity of the emission line. HERFD‐XANES enhances features present in the edge region of the absorption spectrum by reducing the core‐hole lifetime, thus resolving structures that are not visible in a conventional XANES spectrum …”

Direct Imaging of Valence‐Sensitive X‐Ray Fluorescence Holograms of Fe3O4

“…First, the sample is set on a χ‐circle stage, which is set on a θ ‐stage. To record the fluorescence, we used a quad chip version of the Merlin detector system (Quantum detectors) that is based on Medipix3 . The detector features high spatial resolution and dynamic range (256 × 256 pixels × 24 bit at 110 µm pixel size) which makes it suitable for holography experiments.…”