An Interdigitated Pixel PIN Detector for Energetic Particle Spectroscopy in Space

We describe a new two-dimensional position-sensitive detector, now under development, for use in space-borne energetic particle spectrometers. The novel feature of this device is the use of interdigitated pixels to provide both dimensions of position information from a single side of the detector, while a measurement of the energy deposition is derived from the opposite side. An advantage of this approach is that significant reductions in the complexity, power, and weight of the associated read-out electronics can be realized without sacrificing position or energy resolution.