Experimental results using a hybrid silicon pixel detector for scintillating fibre readout and x-ray imaging

We report the results obtained with a novel readout system for scintillating fibres and x-ray imaging based on the combination of a silicon pixel detector and one stage of light amplification using a 2nd generation image intensifier. The pixel detector is a hybrid assembly of a high resistivity silicon detector bump-bonded to a CMOS binary readout chip and can be read out at a speed of 15 MHz. Each pixel element measures 75üm x 500üm. Scintillating fibre ribbons and scintillating crystals are coupled to the detector array using one stage of light amplification provided by a micro-channel plate (MCP) image intensifier with fiberoptic faceplates. We have used the system to image electron tracks in a bundle of scintillating fibre ribbons. Further we have shown how the system can be used for imaging 122 keV x-rays such as those used in nuclear medicine. The system provides the possibility of single photon counting, high spatial resolution and Compton rejection.