Performance limitations of the pixelated ERD detector with respect to imaging using the rapid Tomographic Energy Dispersive Diffraction Imaging system

A prototype X-ray imaging system, using the principle of Tomographic Energy Dispersive Diffraction Imaging (TEDDI) has been developed at the University of Manchester's School of Materials. The non-destructive 3D imaging system makes use of a state of the art collimator array and a pixellated Si energy resolving detector. The new rapid TEDDI system is limited to thin, low density materials due to the low stopping power of Si at higher X-ray energies. In this paper the results of substituting Si for CdZnTe as the active detection element and limitations to the key parameters of energy resolution and count rate, for the detectors is presented. The findings have led to the design of a new ASIC which is discussed.