Detector & Electronics Group Activities

The Detector & Electronics Group is made up of the following units:

Instrument Pool Unit

The Instrument Pool maintains a stock of detectors and electronic instrumentation that is available as a loan service for ESRF and CRG beamlines. [Instrument Pool on-site pages]

Tasks/Objectives

• Reduce beamtime lost related to beamline equipment failures by the provision of ready to use equipment spares identical to those in use at beamlines.
• Optimise the availability of detectors for beamlines achieved by providing the logistic base for loans to beamlines of 'state of the art' detectors. The Detector Pool staff also maintains a test laboratory and has beamline access where appropriate to evaluate the performance of new or existing equipment.
• Reduce equipment cost and beamline manpower effort associated with detector operations.

Structure

• Imaging systems (scintillant screen-CCD cameras and image plates)
• Spectroscopy, detector and related electronics.
• Electronics beamline equipment.
  

Detector Systems

This unit provides assistance to the beamlines in all areas related to X-ray detection. The members of the unit work on evaluation and selection of available detectors and developments in areas not covered by commercial suppliers. Currently the main activities are in the following areas:

• High resolution imaging
• Large area CCD detectors
• Pixel detectors
• Beam monitoring
• Gas detectors

Detector Electronics

This unit provides consulting, support and development in the area of dedicated electronics for X-ray detectors. Currently the main activities are in the following areas:

• CCD cameras
• APD electronics
• Data acquisition

Electronics Support Laboratory

This unit is in charge of beamline support and developments in the area of electronics for instrument control.