Integrated Circuits

The Nu-Trek team is proposing to develop µDet, a low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) read out integrated circuit (IC) for gamma and neuron detectors. µDet offers pulse shape digitization, which in turn enables gamma-neutron discrimination. This is a game changing capability that brings laboratory-level functionality to the field. In Phase I the Nu-Trek Team will develop a baseline design for the µDet readout IC that addresses a broad range of solid-state detectors, scintillators, SiPMs, etc. In Phase II the design of the µDet will be completed and it will be fabricated in a high-speed process. Phase II will culminate with the design of a number of prototype detection systems that will be tested by our STTR partner. Gamma detectors are in broad use for defense and homeland security applications involving detection, tracking, and utilization of nuclear materials. Additionally, there are also many medical imaging, biphotonic, high energy physics, power plant, inspection, environmental, incident management and monitoring applications. The µDet will be especially enabling in applications requiring gamma-neutron discrimination as well as SWaP constrained applications such as handhelds, drone-based, unattended sensors, large sensing arrays, etc.