Random telegraph signals in proton irradiated CCDs and APS

Random telegraph dark signal fluctuations have been studied in two types of CCD and two types of CMOS active pixel sensor after proton irradiation at 1.5, 10 and 60 MeV. Time constants and activation energies were very similar, indicating a similar defect type. A large fraction of the defects are multi- rather than 2-level, suggesting a mechanism related to defect clusters being formed from initial single proton events

Multilevel RTS in proton irradiated CMOS image sensors manufactured in a deep submicron technology

A new automated method able to detect multilevel random telegraph signals (RTS) in pixel arrays and to extract their main characteristics is presented. The proposed method is applied to several proton irradiated pixel arrays manufactured using a 0.18um CMOS process dedicated to imaging. Despite the large proton energy range and the large fluence range used, similar exponential RTS amplitude distributions are observed. A mean maximum amplitude independent of displacement damage dose is extracted from these distributions and the number of RTS defects appears to scale well with total nonionizing energy loss. These conclusions allow the prediction of RTS amplitude distributions. The effect of electric field on RTS amplitude is also studied and no significant relation between applied bias and RTS amplitude is observed

Test Station for a 30 m long Superconducting Link

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) requires distribution of high electrical currents in the limited space of LHC tunnel. Four superconducting links of about 76 m length and one of 510 m will be installed in the tunnel to carry 6 kA and 600 A. For validation of the longest link a test station was designed which is presently under construction. The design will permit the test station to be adapted for other links and/or cables as well. It will operate either in pool boiling mode, in order to measure thermal loads, or in forced super-critical helium flow mode to simulate real operation. Inlet pressure is 1.2 bar to 3 bar. Inlet temperature is adjustable from 4.4 K up to about 20 K. The station is being prepared to validate the LHC model link, consisting of 48 superconducting cables, each operating at 600 A between 4.5 K and 5.4 K. This article describes features of the equipment

Multi level RTS in proton irradiated CMOS image sensors manufactured in deep submicron technology

A new automated method able to detect multilevel random telegraph signals (RTS) in pixel arrays and to extract their main characteristics is presented. The proposed method is applied to several proton irradiated pixel arrays manufactured using a 0.18um CMOS process dedicated to imaging. Despite the large proton energy range and the large fluence range used, similar exponential RTS amplitude distributions are observed. A mean maximum amplitude independent of displacement damage dose is extracted from these distributions and the number of RTS defects appears to scale well with total nonionizing energy loss. These conclusions allow the prediction of RTS amplitude distributions. The effect of electric field on RTS amplitude is also studied and no significant relation between applied bias and RTS amplitude is observed

Cerenkov Radiation Energy Transfer (CRET) Imaging: A Novel Method for Optical Imaging of PET Isotopes in Biological Systems

Positron emission tomography (PET) allows sensitive, non-invasive analysis of the distribution of radiopharmaceutical tracers labeled with positron (β(+))-emitting radionuclides in small animals and humans. Upon β(+) decay, the initial velocity of high-energy β(+) particles can momentarily exceed the speed of light in tissue, producing Cerenkov radiation that is detectable by optical imaging, but is highly absorbed in living organisms.To improve optical imaging of Cerenkov radiation in biological systems, we demonstrate that Cerenkov radiation from decay of the PET isotopes (64)Cu and (18)F can be spectrally coupled by energy transfer to high Stokes-shift quantum nanoparticles (Qtracker705) to produce highly red-shifted photonic emissions. Efficient energy transfer was not detected with (99m)Tc, a predominantly γ-emitting isotope. Similar to bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), herein we define the Cerenkov radiation energy transfer (CRET) ratio as the normalized quotient of light detected within a spectral window centered on the fluorophore emission divided by light detected within a spectral window of the Cerenkov radiation emission to quantify imaging signals. Optical images of solutions containing Qtracker705 nanoparticles and [(18)F]FDG showed CRET ratios in vitro as high as 8.8±1.1, while images of mice with subcutaneous pseudotumors impregnated with Qtracker705 following intravenous injection of [(18)F]FDG showed CRET ratios in vivo as high as 3.5±0.3.Quantitative CRET imaging may afford a variety of novel optical imaging applications and activation strategies for PET radiopharmaceuticals and other isotopes in biomaterials, tissues and live animals

Conceptual design of the Cryogenic Electrical Feedboxes and the Superconducting Links of LHC

Powering the superconducting magnets of the LHC arcs and long straight sections is performed with more than 1000 electrical terminals supplying currents ranging from 120 A to 13’000 A and distributed in 44 cryogenic electrical feedboxes (DFB). Where space in the LHC tunnel is sufficient, the magnets are powered by locally installed cryogenic electrical feedboxes. Where there is no space for a DFB, the current will be supplied to the magnets by superconducting links (DSL) connecting the DFBs to the magnets on distances varying from 76 m to 510 m

COMMISSIONING AND FIRST OPERATION OF SUPERCONDUCTING LINKS AT THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER (LHC)

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) now under commissioning at CERN is a 26.7 km collider based on several thousand high-field superconducting magnets, the majority of which operating in superfluid helium below 2 K and some isolated magnets operating in normal helium at 4.5 K. Four superconducting links (DSLs) of about 76 m in length and one of about 517 m in length, were designed, constructed and installed over a three year period. Their purpose is to transport current over long distances whenever underground LHC space constraints prevents to put power converters, current feed boxes and magnets in each others’ proximity. The four 76 m long DSLs transport current between current feed boxes and several of the isolated magnets, whereas the 517 m long DSL transports current between two current feed boxes. The links are comprised of cryogenic, vacuum-insulated, transfer lines housing one or more superconducting cables. The operating temperatures are about 5 K for the DSL part that houses the cable and about 60 K for the heat shield. Their commissioning and performance results at first operational experience in the beginning of 2008 are discussed