Tiled Array of Pixelated CZT Imaging Detectors for ProtoEXIST2 and MIRAX-HXI

Abstract

We have assembled a tiled array ((220 cm^2)) of fine pixel (0.6 mm) imaging CZT detectors for a balloon borne widefield hard X-ray telescope, ProtoEXIST2. ProtoEXIST2 is a prototype experiment for a next generation hard X-ray imager MlRAX-HXI on board Lattes, a spacecraft from the Agencia Espacial Brasilieira. MlRAX will survey the 5 to 200 keV sky of Galactic bulge, adjoining southern Galactic plane and the extragalactic sky with 6' angular resolution. This survey will open a vast discovery space in timing studies of accretion neutron stars and black holes. The ProtoEXIST2 CZT detector plane consists of 64 of 5 mm thick 2cm × 2cm CZT crystals tiled with a minimal gap. MIRAX will consist of 4 such detector planes, each of which will be imaged with its own coded-aperture mask. We present the packaging architecture and assembly procedure of the ProtoEXIST2 detector. On 2012, Oct 10, we conducted a successful high altitude balloon experiment of the ProtoEXISTl and 2 telescopes, which demonstrates their technology readiness for space application. Both telescopes performed flawlessly during the flight as well as on the ground. We report the results of pre-flight ground calibration and the preliminary results for the detector performance in the balloon flight.