64-channel pre-amplifier ASICs for superconducting tunnel junction readout

Superconducting Tunnel junctions (STJ) have been extensively investigated as photon detectors covering the range from near-infrared to X-ray energies. STJ detector developments now focus on the integration of many devices into large imaging arrays. However, current state-of-the-art preamplifier electronics for these detectors still rely on circuits build from discrete components. We are reporting here on a first attempt to integrate such circuits into an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Two ASICs have been developed. One consists of 64 low-noise, low-offset preamplifier channels, while the other contains the same number of shaping filters and threshold detection circuits. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.