Detector system and module for compensating dark current

摘要

A compensating current is applied at one or more points in a signal processing path to compensate for one or both of a dark or offset current present in an input signal. In certain implementations, the dark or offset current is present in a signal generated by a photomultiplier device. The dark or offset current may be monitored in an output of the signal processing path and, the monitoring being used to determine how much compensation is needed in the signal processing path and to allocate where in the signal processing path the compensation current will be applied.

主权项

1. A detector module, comprising:
an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that comprises:
one or more channel inputs configured to receive respective analog inputs from one or more photo-sensors;a front-end circuit configured to receive the analog inputs and to output at least initial energy signals, the front-end circuit comprising a respective front end amplifier for each analog input;a weighting circuit configured to receive the initial energy signals and configured to output weighted signals, wherein the weighting circuit comprises weighting amplifiers;an energy summing circuit configured to receive the weighted signals and configured to output at least a summed energy signal, wherein the energy summing circuit comprises a summing amplifier; and a controller configured to measure a dark current present in the summed energy signal; to determine a compensation current sufficient to counter the dark current, and to apply the compensation current through one or more of the front-end, weighting, or summing amplifiers.