Spectroscopic DEPFETs at high frame rates using window mode

An active pixel sensor like an array of DEPFET (DEpleted P-channel Field Effect Transistor) pixels allows for very flexible operation modes and an adaptability of the sensor design to the specific needs of the scientific instrument objectives. For a very high time resolution at the order of one microsecond, a full parallel readout of all pixels is required. Every readout node needs to be connected to readout electronics separately. Furthermore, to preserve a good spectroscopic performance, the integration of a storage functionality into each pixel prevents the influence of events occurring during the readout process and provoking an incorrect energy information. The energy of such events is detected incorrectly and is not falsifiable with a subsequent analysis. An active pixel sensor based on a DEPFET with internal storage and wired for full parallel readout is in production and will be available for testing in the future. Alternatively, the ability of an active pixel sensor to be read out in window (region-of-interest readout) mode allows for the investigation of the behavior at high frame rates at the order of 100kHz for DEPFET devices with and without storage functionality.