Purpose To explore the feasibility of high-precision particle identification using the cluster counting technique for the drift chamber, a dedicated readout electronics system with low noise, high bandwidth, and high sampling rate is required. Method This paper presents the design and performance evaluation of a scalable readout prototype developed for this application. The system architecture integrates a custom front end with a <InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$1.3\ \text {GSps}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mn>1.3</mn> <mspace width="4pt" /> <mtext>GSps</mtext> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> waveform sampling back end, implemented within a modular 120-channel framework. Results Laboratory characterization of the 40-channel prototype demonstrates a <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$-3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mo>-</mo> <mn>3</mn> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> dB analog bandwidth of <InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$550\ \text {MHz}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mn>550</mn> <mspace width="4pt" /> <mtext>MHz</mtext> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> and an equivalent noise input current of <InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$0.83\ \mu \text {A}_\text {rms}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mn>0.83</mn> <mspace width="4pt" /> <mi>μ</mi> <msub> <mtext>A</mtext> <mtext>rms</mtext> </msub> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>. These specifications are essential for preserving the fast temporal features of ionization signals. Furthermore, the system achieves an intrinsic timing jitter of <InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$0.88\ \text {ns}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mn>0.88</mn> <mspace width="4pt" /> <mtext>ns</mtext> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, which satisfies the timing precision requirements for drift distance measurement. Joint experiments with a drift chamber prototype using cosmic rays verified the system’s capability to resolve discrete ionization peaks within pileup waveforms. Conclusion The presented results confirm that the readout electronics provide the signal fidelity and temporal resolution necessary for future cluster counting algorithm development.

Integration and characterization of readout electronics system for dN/dx measurement with drift chamber prototype

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年6月20日

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Dongcheng Cai,
Qicai Li,
Mingyi Dong,
Weile Gong,
Mengyang Ji,
Hongbin Liu,
Wenyu Pan,
Linghui Wu,
Dewei Xu,
Yimie Yuan,
Hongyu Zhang,
Guang Zhao,
Yubin Zhao

摘要

Purpose

To explore the feasibility of high-precision particle identification using the cluster counting technique for the drift chamber, a dedicated readout electronics system with low noise, high bandwidth, and high sampling rate is required.

Method

This paper presents the design and performance evaluation of a scalable readout prototype developed for this application. The system architecture integrates a custom front end with a $1.3\ \text {GSps}$ $1.3 GSps$ waveform sampling back end, implemented within a modular 120-channel framework.

Results

Laboratory characterization of the 40-channel prototype demonstrates a $-3$ $- 3$ dB analog bandwidth of $550\ \text {MHz}$ $550 MHz$ and an equivalent noise input current of $0.83\ \mu \text {A}_\text {rms}$ $0.83 μ A_{rms}$ . These specifications are essential for preserving the fast temporal features of ionization signals. Furthermore, the system achieves an intrinsic timing jitter of $0.88\ \text {ns}$ $0.88 ns$ , which satisfies the timing precision requirements for drift distance measurement. Joint experiments with a drift chamber prototype using cosmic rays verified the system’s capability to resolve discrete ionization peaks within pileup waveforms.

Conclusion

The presented results confirm that the readout electronics provide the signal fidelity and temporal resolution necessary for future cluster counting algorithm development.