Low-noise and low-power pixel sensor chip for gas pixel detectors

Topmetal-M2 is a large-area pixel sensor chip fabricated using the GSMC 130 nm CMOS process in 2021.The pixel array of Topmetal-M2 consists of pixels of 400 rows×512 columns with a pixel pitch of 45μm×45μm.The array is divided into 16 subarrays,with pixels of 400 rows×32 columns per subarray.Each pixel incorporates two charge sensors:a diode sensor and a Topmetal sensor.The in-pixel circuit primarily consists of a charge-sensitive amplifier for energy measurements,a discriminator with a peak-holding circuit,and a time-to-amplitude converter for time-of-arrival measurements.The pixel of Topmetal-M2 has a charge input range of~0-3 k e-,a voltage output range of~0-180 mV,and a charge-voltage conversion gain of~59.56μV∕e-.The average equivalent noise charge of Topmetal-M2,which includes the readout electronic system noise,is~43.45 e-.In the scanning mode,the time resolution of Topmetal-M2 is 1 LSB=1.25μs,and the precision is^()7.41μs.At an operating voltage of 1.5 V,Topmetal-M2 has a power consumption of~49 mW∕cm~2.In this article,we provide a comprehensive overview of the chip architecture,pixel working principles,and functional behavior of Topmetal-M2.Furthermore,we present the results of preliminary tests conducted on Topmetal-M2,namely,alpha-particle and soft X-ray tests.

Gas microchannel plate-pixel detector for X-ray polarimetry

POLAR-2 is a gamma-ray burst(GRB)polarimeter that is designed to study the polarization in GRB radiation emissions,aiming to improve our knowledge of related mechanisms.POLAR-2 is expected to utilize an on-board polarimeter that is sensitive to soft X-rays(2-10 keV),called low-energy polarization detector.We have developed a new soft X-ray polari-zation detector prototype based on gas microchannel plates(GMCPs)and pixel chips(Topmetal).The GMCPs have bulk resistance,which prevents charging-up effects and ensures gain stability during operation.The detector is composed of low outgassing materials and is gas-sealed using a laser welding technique,ensuring long-term stability.A modulation factor of 41.28%±0.64% is obtained for a 4.5 keV polarized X-ray beam.A residual modulation of 1.96%±0.58% at 5.9 keV is observed for the entire sensitive area.

Electronics system for the cosmic X-ray polarization detector

This study presents an electronics system for cosmic X-ray polarization detection(CXPD).The CXPD was designed as a high-sensitivity soft X-ray polarimeter with a measurement energy range of 2-10 keV carried by a CubeSat.A stable and functionally complete electronics system under power and space constraints is a key challenge.The complete CXPD electronics system(CXPDES)comprises hardware and firmware.CXPDES adopts a three-layer electronic board structure based on functionality and available space.Two gas pixel detectors(GPDs)were placed on the top layer board,and CXPDES provided the GPDs with voltages up to-4000 V.Each GPD signal was digitized,compressed,encoded,and stored before being transmitted to the ground.The CXPDES provided stable and high-speed communication based on a scheme that separated command and data transmission,and it supports the CXPDES in-orbit upgrade.In addition,environmental monitors,silicon photomultiplier(SiPM)triggers,power management,GPDs configuration,and mode switches were included in the overall operating logic of the CXPDES.The results obtained by testing the CXPDES showed that it satisfied all the requirements of CXPD.The CXPDES provides design experience and technological readiness for future large-area X-ray polarimetry missions.

用于高能物理实验电子读出芯片的低噪声锁相环芯片设计

基于TSMC 180 nm工艺设计并流片测试了一款用于高能物理实验的电子读出系统的低噪声、低功耗锁相环芯片。该芯片主要由鉴频鉴相器、电荷泵、环路滤波器、压控振荡器和分频器等子模块组成,在锁相环电荷泵模块中,使用共源共栅电流镜结构精准镜像电流以减小电流失配和用运放钳位电压进一步减小相位噪声。测试结果表明,该锁相环芯片在1.8 V电源电压、输入50 MHz参考时钟条件下,可稳定输出200 MHz的差分时钟信号,时钟均方根抖动为2.26 ps(0.45 mUI),相位噪声在1 MHz频偏处为-105.83 dBc/Hz。芯片整体功耗实测为23.4 mW,锁相环核心功耗为2.02 mW。

Technical problems and non destructive testing of rock bolt support systems in mines

The problem of proper assessment of the technical functionality of rock bolt support systems is still valid.Many research centers have undertaken eforts to diagnose and monitor the technical state of such a support system used in mines and tunneling.With that aim the method of quality assessment of grouted rock bolts was invented and a relevant apparatus was constructed.The method concerns non-destructive identifcation of discontinuity of a resin layer(grout)surrounding rock bolts.The method is based on an impact excitation of a rock bolt and uses modal analysis procedures.Assuming that the installed rock bolt acts as an oscillator,diferent lengths and positions of grouting discontinuity alter its modal parameters.The extraction of these modal parameters,of which a resonant frequency is seen as the most valued,enable the relevant identifcation of grout discontinuity.After constructing a prototype version and validating the results for known cases of resin discontinuity in an experimental coal mine,the apparatus fulflling ATEX requirements was developed.Subsequently that version was also verifed both in laboratory conditions and in an experimental coal mine.As necessary for proper identifcation of discontinuity length,the reference data base was developed and elaborated consisting of a very large number of fnite element models(FE models),namely discontinuity cases.The models encountered diferent rock bolt lengths and diameters,diferent rock strata parameters and diferent positions and lengths of resin layers.Then the method was used in a working coal mine to monitor a technical state of rock bolt support system mounted to reinforce long underground openings.The data base was utilized as reference for investigated rock bolts.

Advances in nuclear detection and readout techniques

“A Craftsman Must Sharpen His Tools to Do His Job,”said Confucius.Nuclear detection and readout techniques are the foundation of particle physics,nuclear physics,and particle astrophysics to reveal the nature of the universe.Also,they are being increasingly used in other disciplines like nuclear power generation,life sciences,environmental sciences,medical sciences,etc.The article reviews the short history,recent development,and trend of nuclear detection and readout techniques,covering Semiconductor Detector,Gaseous Detector,Scintillation Detector,Cherenkov Detector,Transition Radiation Detector,and Readout Techniques.By explaining the principle and using examples,we hope to help the interested reader underst and this research field and bring exciting information to the community.

Analysis of underground fires in Polish hard coal mines

In the period of the first twenty years after World War II the number of fires in Polish hard coal mines reached annually the value of several thousands of cases. About 80% of fires constituted spontaneous fires. Investigations into the development of new methods of fire hazard prediction and implementation of new methods and means of fire prevention as well as the introduction of prohibition concerning the use of products manufactured of combustible organic materials in underground mine workings re-duced considerably the hazard of underground fire rise. The worked out at the Central Mining Institute (GIG) new method of un-derground fire prediction allows the correct selection of fire prevention means. The introduction into common use of fire-resistant conveyor belts, the main factor giving rise to spontaneous fires, and methods of assessment of their fire resistance eliminated prac-tically the fire hazard. These activities contributed in an efficient way to the reduction of the number of underground fires to a sat-isfactory level.

Simulation study of energy resolution with changing pixel size for radon monitor based on Topmetal-Ⅱ^- TPC

In this paper, we study how pixel size influences energy resolution for a proposed pixelated detector—a high sensitivity, low cost, and real-time radon monitor based on a Topmetal-Ⅱ^- time projection chamber(TPC). This monitor was designed to improve spatial resolution for detecting radon alpha particles using Topmetal-Ⅱ^- sensors assembled by a 0.35 lm CMOS integrated circuit process.Owing to concerns that small pixel size might have the side effect of worsening energy resolution due to lower signalto-noise ratio, a Geant4-based simulation was used to investigate the dependence of energy resolution on pixel sizes ranging from 60 to 600 lm. A non-monotonic trend in this region shows the combined effect of pixel size and threshold on pixels, analyzed by introducing an empirical expression. Pixel noise contributes 50 keV full-width at half-maximum energy resolution for 400 lm pixel size at 1–4σ threshold that is comparable to the energy resolution caused by energy fluctuations in the TPC ionization process( ~20 keV). The total energy resolution after combining both factors is estimated to be 54 keV for a pixel size of 400 lm at 1–4σ threshold. The analysis presented in this paper would help choosing suitable pixel size for future pixelated detectors.

Gastric ghrelin in relation to gender,stomach topography and Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients

AIM： To investigate the level of gastric ghrelin in stomach mucosa of dyspeptic patients in relation to Helicobacter pylor/（H pylori） infection, bacterial cytotoxicity, topography and gender.METHODS： The study comprised 40 premenopausal women （19 H pylori positive） and 48 men （17 H pylori positive） with functional dyspepsia. All gastric biopsy specimens revealed normal mucosa or non-atrophic gastritis. Gastric ghrelin concentration was determined by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The cagA and vacA strains of bacterial DNA were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS： In general, infection with H pylori caused an increase in gastric ghrelin level regardless of gender and stomach topography. Significantly more hormone was present in both, non-infected and H pylori positive female samples, as compared to males. The distribution of bacterial strains showed cagA（＋） vacA slml and cagA（-） vacA s2m2 genotypes as the most common infections in the studied population. A tendency to higher ghrelin levels was observed in less cytotoxic （cagA negative） strain-containing specimens from the antrum and corpus of both gender groups （without statistical significance）. CONCLUSION： An increase in gastric ghrelin levels at the stage of non-atrophic gastritis in H pylori positive patients, especially in those infected with cagA（-） strains, can exert a gastroprotective effect.

Gasification of lignite from Polish coal mine to hydrogen-rich gas

The efforts of the world research activities involved in clean coal technologies development focus to a considerable extent on integrated hydrogen and power generation technologies based on coal gasification.As an alternative to combustion pro-cesses,gasification offers increased efficiency,lower negative environmental impact as well as wider application range of the main product—synthesis gas—in power generation and chemical syntheses.In order to select the most optimal lignite for the purpose of gasification,it is necessary to determine coal reactivity,the key parameter characterizing how fast the fuel reacts with the gasifying medium and controlling its process ability in thermochemical conversion to energy and/or energy carriers.This paper presents the experimental results of oxygen/steam gasification of lignite coal char in a fixed bed reactor under atmospheric pressure and at the temperature of 700,800 and 900℃;the samples come from an open pit lignite mine in the southwest of Poland.The effectiveness of the gasification process was tested in terms of the total gas and hydrogen yields,gas composition,carbon conversion rate and chars reactivity.

Negative-pressure pneumatic separator:a new solution for hard-coal beneficiation

Hard coal is an important source of energy worldwide.Owing to the imperfections of excavation technology,most run-of-mine coals must be processed before they can be utilised as fuel.In this study,tests on the dry separation process were performed with numerous different raw hard coal and coal waste material samples,using a newly designed and constructed negative-pressure pneumatic separator(NPPS).The experiments revealed the effects of the feed-material properties and material processing conditions.These experiments were preceded by additional tests for evaluating the influence of each device operating parameter on the process,to determine the optimal method of supplying the feed material.The calorific value of the processed materials was improved by 5%–40%,while a minimal output yield of products(60%–70%)was maintained.The trials indicated that in coal material processing,the developed NPPS can be used for not only raw coal enrichment but also coal recovery from materials stored at coal-waste dumps.The main advantages of the device are its mobility,low material processing cost,and lack of water consumption during operation.

Prototype of single-event effect localization system with CMOS pixel sensor

The single-event effect(SEE) is a serious threat to electronics in radiation environments. The most important issue in radiation-hardening studies is the localization of the sensitive region in electronics to the SEE. To solve this problem, a prototype based on a complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) pixel sensor, i.e., TopmetalM, was designed for SEE localization. A beam test was performed on the prototype at the radiation terminal of the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou(HIRFL). The results indicated that the inherent deflection angle of the prototype to the beam was 1.7°, and the angular resolution was 0.6°. The prototype localized heavy ions with a position resolution of 3.4 μm.

Design and tests of the prototype a beam monitor of the CSR external target experiment

A prototype beam monitor was designed to provide tracking information for heavy-ion projectiles for the cool storage ring(CSR)external target experiment(CEE)at the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou(HIRFL).High granularity and direct charge sensing are the main features of this device.It measures the beam position in a two-dimensional(2D)plane transverse to the beam direction on an event-by-event basis.The current design consists of two field cages inside a single vessel that operates independently and has electrical drift fields in orthogonal directions.Preliminary tests of the prototype were performed using a^(241)Am a source.The results show that a spatial resolution of less than 40μm and a time resolution of less than 600 ns can be achieved.

Usefulness of two independent hist classifications of tumor regression iUsefulness of two independent histopathological classifications of tumor regression in patients with rectal cancer submitted to hyperfractionated pre-operative radiotherapy

AIM： To assess the usefulness of two independent histopathological classifications of rectal cancer regression following neo-adjuvant therapy. METHODS： Forty patients at the initial stage cT3NxM0 submitted to preoperative radiotherapy （42 Gy during 18 d） and then to radical surgical treatment. The relationship between ＂T-downstaging＂ versus regressive changes expressed by tumor regression grade （TRG 1-5） and Nasierowska-Guttmejer classification （NG 1-3） was studied as well as the relationship between TRG and NG versus local tumor stage ypT and lymph nodes status, ypN. RESULTS： Complete regression （ypT0, TRG 1） was found in one patient. ＂T-downstaging＂ was observed in 11 （27.5%） patients. There was a weak statistical significance of the relationship between ＂T-downstaging＂ and TRG staging and NG stage. Patients with ypT1 were diagnosed as TRG 2-3 while those with ypT3 as TRGS. No lymph node metastases were found in patients with TRG 1-2. None of the patients without lymph node metastases were diagnosed as TRG 5. Patients in the ypT1 stage were NG 1-2. No lymph node metastases were found in NG 1. There was a significant correlation between TRG and NG. CONCLUSION： Histopathological classifications may be useful in the monitoring of the effects of hyperfractionated preoperative radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer at the stage of cT3NxM0. There is no unequivocal relationship between ＂Todownstaging＂ and TRG and NG. There is some concordance in the assessment of lymph node status with ypT, TRG and NG. TRG and NG are of limited value for the risk assessment of the lymph node involvement.

Analysis of the damage mechanism of strainbursts by a global-local modeling approach

Strainburst is the most common type of rockbursts.The research of strainburst damage mechanisms is helpful to improve and optimize the rock support design in the burst-prone ground.In this study,an improved global-local modeling approach was first adopted to study strainburst damage mechanisms.The extracted stresses induced by multiple excavations from a three-dimensional(3D)global model established by fast Lagrangian analysis of continua in 3 dimensions(FLAC3D)are used as boundary conditions for a two-dimensional(2D)local model of a deep roadway built by universal distinct element code(UDEC)to simulate realistic stress loading paths and conduct a detailed analysis of rockburst damage from both micro and macro perspectives.The results suggest that the deformation and damage level of the roadway gradually increase with the growth of surrounding rock stress caused by the superposition of mining-or excavation-induced stresses of the panel and nearby roadways.The significant increase of surrounding rock stresses will result in more accumulated strain energy in two sidewalls,providing a necessary condition for the strainburst occurrence in the dynamic stage.The strainburst damage mechanism for the study site combines three types of damage:rock ejection,rock bulking,and rockfall.During the strainburst,initiation,propagation,and development of tensile cracks play a crucial role in controlling macroscopic failure of surrounding rock masses,although the shear crack always accounts for the main proportion of damage levels.The deformation and damage level of the roadway during a strainburst positively correlate with the increasing peak particle velocities(PPVs).The yielding steel arch might not dissipate kinetic energy and mitigate strainburst damage effectively due to the limited energy absorption capacity.The principles to control and mitigate strainburst damage are proposed in this paper.This study presents a systematic framework to investigate strainburst damage mechanisms using the global-local modeling approach.

Simulation and photoelectron track reconstruction of soft X-ray polarimeter

The soft X-ray polarimeter(SXP)is a detector with a wide energy range,large area,and large field of view.A SXP will be mounted on the Chinese Space Station and will mainly focus on detecting the polarization of transient soft X-ray(2–10 keV)sources,especially gamma-ray bursts(GRBs).In this work,a polarimeter detector unit is taken as an example,and Geant4 and Garfield++software are used to simulate the detection efficiency and track production.An improved track reconstruction algorithm is proposed and used to reconstruct two-dimensional images of the tracks.In this method,the initial emission angle of photoelectrons is reconstructed from the initial part of the track by shortening or extending the initial part of the track until the remaining track is straight,and the number of pixels is within an adjustable threshold.The modulation factor of the photoelectronic tracks after reconstruction reaches approximately 57%in the photon energy range of 7–10 keV.

A 5.12-GHz LC-based phase-locked loop for silicon pixel readouts of high-energy physics

There is an urgent need for high-quality and high-frequency clock generators for high-energy physics experiments.The transmission data rate exceeds 10 Gbps for a single channel in future readout electronics of silicon pixel detectors.Others,such as time measurement detectors,require a high time resolution based on the time-to-digital readout architecture.A phase-locked loop(PLL)is an essential and broadly used circuit in these applications.This study presents an application-specific integrated circuit of a low-jitter,low-power LC-tank that is PLL fabricated using 55-nm CMOS technology.It includes a 3rd-order frequency synthesis loop with a programmable bandwidth,a divide-by-2 pre-scaler,standard low-voltage differential signaling interfaces,and a current mode logic(CML)driver for clock transmissions.All the d-flip-flop dividers and phase-frequency detectors are protected from single-event upsets using the triple modular redundancy technique.The proposed VCO uses low-pass filters to suppress the noise from bias circuits.The tested LC-PLL covers a frequency locking range between 4.74 GHz and 5.92 GHz with two sub-bands.The jitter measurements of the frequency-halved clock(2.56 GHz)are less than 460 fs and 0.8 ps for the random and deterministic jitters,respectively,and a total of 7.5 ps peak-to-peak with a bit error rate of 10^(-12).The random and total jitter values for frequencies of 426 MHz and 20 MHz are less than 1.8 ps and 65 ps,respectively.The LC-PLL consumed 27 mW for the core and 73.8 mW in total.The measured results nearly coincided with the simulations and validated the analyses and tests.

Development and actualization of brownfields database with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles-the case of Upper Silesia,Poland

This paper presents the assumptions and the preliminary results of the project entitled"Extension of the system for man-agement of post-mining areas in the Silesian province-OPI TPP 2.0".The overall objective of the project is to develop and implement a new e-service in the form of an open-access information system on post-mining areas in the Silesia Voivodeship.The range of information and tools planned to be made available is dedicated to assessing the possibilities and potential for economic and social reuse of these areas.The basic and extremely important stage of the project was to identify and collect data on post-industrial sites located in the Silesia Province.The information contained in this article illustrates the activities that were carried out in the initial phase of the project in which unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV)were used to identify and acquire information on brownfields(including post-mining sites)entered into the developed common database.The article assesses the possibility of using drones in an enterprise of such a large scale and also points out the advantages of using this method.The article describes the methodology and scope of work related to the acquisition of data that can be collected using unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)covering surface infrastructure and land use of brownfields,allowing for the identification of negative phenomena on their site as well as monitoring of naturally occurring processes.Based on fieldworks experience and the results of numerous analyses carried out for different types of brownfields(e.g.post-mining areas,former transport bases,settling ponds,etc.),paper presents the advantages and benefits of drones(UAN)over other data sources used to monitor changes in an area.The article is based on the results of an inventory of over 600 brownfields located in Upper Silesia region(Silesia Voivodeship,Poland).

Effect of flow rates of gases flowing through a coal bed during coal heating and cooling on concentrations of gases emitted and fire hazard assessment

The flow velocity of gases in gobs directly influences the kinetics and intensity of gaseous components release during heating and cooling of coal.The assessment of fire hazard is performed on the basis of concentrations of particular gases in a mine air.These concentrations differ in coal heating and cooling phase which was proven in the study.This paper presented the results of the experimental study on temperature distribution in a simulated coal bed in heating(50–250°C)and cooling(250–35°C)phases as well as its correlation to variations in concentration of gases released in these phases and flow rates of gases flowing through the coal bed.The research was performed on twenty-two samples of bituminous coals acquired from various coal beds of Polish coal mines.Considerable differences were observed between heating and cooling phases in terms of the concentrations of gases taken into account in calculations of self-combustion index.In the heating phase temperature increase resulted in the decrease of concentrations ratios of ethane,ethylene,propane,propylene and acetylene,while in the cooling phase these ratios increased systemically.The effect of air(in heating phase)and nitrogen(in cooling phase)flow rate on the self-ignition index CO/CO2 was also determined.

Changes in properties of tar obtained during underground coal gasification process

In this study,the composition of tars collected during a six-day underground coal gasification(UCG)test at the experimental mine‘Barbara’in Poland in 2013 was examined.During the test,tar samples were taken every day from the liquid product separator and analysed by the methods used for testing properties of typical coke oven(coal)tar.The obtained results were compared with each other and with the data for coal tar.As gasification progressed,a decreasing trend in the water content and an increasing trend in the ash content were observed.The tars tested were characterized by large changes in the residue after coking and content of parts insoluble in toluene and by smaller fluctuations in the content of parts insoluble in quinoline.All tested samples were characterized by very high distillation losses,while for samples starting from the third day of gasification,a clear decrease in losses was visible.A chromatographic analysis showed that there were no major differences in composition between the tested tars and that none of the tar had a dominant component such as naphthalene in coal tar.The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)in UCG tars is several times lower than that in coal tar.No light monoaromatic hydrocarbons(benzene,toluene,ethylbenzene and xylenes—BTEX)were found in the analysed tars,which results from the fact that these compounds,due to their high volatility,did not separate from the process gas in the liquid product separator.