Two HVCMOS active pixel ASIC designs for the Measurement of GCR and SEP with a combined dynamic range of >80 dB

Abstract

The design of HVCMOS detectors for measuring Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) and Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) is presented, with the goal of covering a very wide dynamic range (from ∼0.5 fC to pC). Two different pixel designs are shown, one with low gain tailored to high energy depositions and one with high gain for low energy depositions. Both designs utilize a sensing diode consisting of a fully-depleted, high resistivity substrate and a segmented deep n-well on top. LFoundry 0.15 μm technology is used. The design choices are backed by simulation results and preliminary measurements.