Sistemas front-end integrados para la detección de partículas cargadas aplicando técnicas de incremento de ganancia

Abstract

In this research work, gain enhancement techniques for analog design have been proposed and applied to implement several front-end electronics systems used in nuclear physics applications for detection of charged particles through silicon semiconductor detectors. In recent years the number of works related to the integration of these front-end systems in CMOS technologies has increased to meet the need of signal conditioning and processing from hundreds and even thousands of channels of new detection systems. The advantages related to the high density of integration and low power consumption, must face design challenges related to the degradation of the analog parameters of transistors due to the technology scaling-down, such as the low of intrinsic gain and the increase in noise. This thesis proposes circuit solutions to increase the gain of the active elements that constitute the building blocks of the analog part of a front-end system, i.e. charge sensitive amplifiers and shapers, to ensure their proper closed-loop operation and using submicron CMOS technologies. The designs addressed issues related to noise, power consumption, silicon area, dynamic range, precision, linearity and speed. All the systems implemented in this thesis have been fabricated using 130 nm and 90 nm n- well CMOS process technology. The results of experimental measurements are presented and analyzed in each case to validate the operation of the corresponding design.