Practical considerations for high-speed X-ray pixel array detectors and X-ray sensing materials

Advances in synchrotron light sources are creating new opportunities for scientific discovery by producing intense, low-emittance pulses of X-ray illumination. Detectors play a critical link in the experimental process because they are the tools of observation, charged with providing quantitative records of events that are the product of experiments. The capabilities of X-ray imaging detectors often limit the experimental possibilities, and dedicated development is needed to meet source capabilities. Currently, challenging demands on imaging detectors include hard X-ray imaging (e.g., > 25 keV), high-speed imaging (e.g. matching X-ray pulse rates), and high dynamic range imaging. Pixel Array Detector (PAD) development efforts at Cornell aiming to meet these demands are described, including high atomic number (high-Z) sensor materials, single bunch imaging, high-speed continuous acquisition, and high dynamic range imaging. This paper discusses detector design considerations and development efforts at Cornell.