Imaging subsystem for photon science: PAL XFEL imaging subsystems

The PAL X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) has been established by Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL) in South Korea. PAL XFEL produces some of the brightest electromagnetic radiation in the world, especially in the X-ray region. By analysing the scattering of these X-rays, scientists can observe the atomic structure of specimens, which can lead to new scientific discoveries across the medical, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology and materials science fields. In a challenging twelve month timeframe, e2v successfully completed the delivery of five Multi-Port Charge Coupled Device (MPCCD) Detector systems in partnership with the Japanese Research Institute RIKEN with whom e2v also developed bespoke Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) for their SPring-8 Angstrom Compact Free Electron Laser (SACLA) facility in Japan.

Performance

• System noise: 500 e- rms
• Frame rate: up to 30 fps
• Pixel readout speed: typically 5.2 MHz
• High peak signal: 3.1 Me-
• Working photon energy range: between 4 and 15 keV

MPCCD Detector systems architecture:

• Two MPCCD systems delivered with a camera head, each containing a single CCD262
• Three MPCCD systems delivered with a camera head, each containing two CCDs262
• CCD readout electronics
• Each camera head is kept at low temperature through a chiller system and is linked to vacuum evacuation and control systems
• Power supplies and system interlocks
• A custom software development kit

Benefits brought in by project management:

• Managed the technical specification for the MPCCD system to obtain required performance
• Minimised the customer’s integration effort
• Managed test acceptance,  regulatory and EMC compliance
• Commissioning support

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