Attachment A - Specifications RFP PR422299.pdf

Specifications for an Advanced Event-Mode Neutron Imaging System with a Large Area Detector

UT-Battelle, LLC, managing the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the US Department of Energy

RFP422299

Optical Detector:

Requires a pixel matrix array of four Timepix-3 chips (512x512 pixels), a hybrid pixel detector based on the Timepix3 chip developed by the CERN Medipix3 collaboration.

Individual pixel dimension requirements are 55 x 55 μm², with highly functionalized pixels and every pixel consisting of about 1600 transistors with a low power consumption of below 0.015 mW. Each pixel to have 1 discriminator.

Provide a data-driven direct read-out of the pixel with the following information: x-Position, y-Position, Time of Arrival (ToA), Time over Threshold (ToT).

Time resolution for ToA to be 1.56 ns.

The minimum dead time of the pixel read-out is to be 0.475 μs.

Maximum count rate requirement is 300 million hits per second for a homogeneous distribution over the chip. Pulsed signals may reduce the maximum count rate. An adjustable threshold level should eliminate all noise to gain shot noise-limited Signal-to- Noise values.

Provide a 300 μm Si sensor with anti-reflection coating for efficient detection of optical photons. This sensor is required to detect light from scintillators in image intensifiers or a scintillation screen behind a Microchannel Plate. Optimum performance must be in the wavelength range between 400 nm – 1000 nm. Quantum efficiency requirement is higher than 90%.

A front-lens camera housing is required with all connections on the backside and preparation for lens or intensifier coupling on the short edge. Provide an M-Mount lens adapter for direct coupling with image intensifiers.

Provide a readout electronics boards equipped with a high-performance Field Programmable Gate Array chip.

Maximum event rate of 15 million pixel hits per second for the standard 1 Gb/s ethernet is required.

Provide a 12-month basic warranty on all parts and components.

10GB Data Transfer:

Provide an ultra-high speed data output for experiments with sparse data of particle hits.

Maximum event rate up to 300 million hits per second for the 10 Gb/s ethernet. Data acquisition must be via a 10 Gb/s optical Ethernet connection and implement a connection to a trigger box. Buyer will provide high-performance PC with 10GB optical links.

Serval:

The detector will be controlled via Serval architecture. The communication with Serval is to be via an HTTP REST protocol over TCP/IP, making control over the detector possible both locally or remotely and independent of the program language or operation system used.

Seamless integration must be possible with Python and other languages using TCP/IP.

Intensifier:

Provide a large area image intensifier (25mm) optimized for neutron imaging applications.

Photocathode must be sensitive in the green spectrum (S20B), P47 phosphor screen with chevron MCP stack. Lens system is to maximize illumination of the Timepix sensor.

Standard 200ns gating. M-mount coupling to camera.

Software:

Provide software that enables noise-free neutron detection via an automated cluster algorithm, with results of subpixel resolutions of from three to five times higher compared to the pixel resolution of the Timepix sensor. Software must enable remote control of the system and control by the user externally. It will include an Application Programming Interface for controlling the detector and the experiment environment and a Graphical User interface for test runs of the detector. Provide binaries for Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04.

Dual TDC Channel

Include two Time-to-Digital Converters to enable synchronization with external events with a time resolution down to 260 ps. Requirements are for a 3.3 Volt LVTTL signal input that inserts timestamped TDC events in the Timepix3 data stream. The dual TDC channel must allow synchronizing acquisition with multiple trigger sources (i.e. laser intensity, delay time, pulse frequency, motor position, etc.) during the measurement.

Packaging and Freight:

Provide a protective pelicase box for the detector. Include all handling costs and freight forwarding fees.

Initial Commissioning:

Included all labor and travel costs for installation, commissioning and site-acceptance testing for detectors.

On-Site Support:

Include travel expenses and daily allowances for on-site support for setting up the system for neutron imaging applications and integration into ORNL system control software.