Fast, low-noise X-ray image sensor technology for strategic X-ray astrophysics missions

High spatial- and spectral-resolution X-ray capabilities are essential for future strategic missions to address the key priorities set forth by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey This will require megapixel X-ray imaging detectors more capable than any available today, providing frame rates at least a factor of 20 faster and pixel aspect ratios twice as large, while retaining the low noise and excellent spectral performance of current instruments. We present recent results from our NASA-funded technology development effort to produce a prototype CCD detector for AXIS, the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite mission concept recently submitted in response to the NASA Astrophysics Probe call. Thi project is developing a 16-output, 1440 x 1440 pixel frame-store CCD with the same pixel size (24 µm) and depletion depth (100 µm) as the proposed AXIS detector. This device uses the low-voltage, single-polysilicon gate and low-noise pJFET technologies proven in previous work. We describe our strategy for optimizing CCD output amplifier design, present results from testing a similar, prior-generation CCD with the Multi-Channel Readout Chip (MCRC) ASIC developed at Stanford University.