Double-layer silicon PIN photodiode X-ray detector for a future X-ray timing mission

A double-layer silicon detector consisting of two 500-μm500-μm-thick silicon PIN photodiodes with independent readouts was mounted in a vacuum chamber and tested with X-ray sources. The detector is sensitive from 1 to 30 keV with an effective area of 6mm2. The detector performs best at -35∘C with an energy resolution of 220 eV (FWHM, full-width at half-maximum) at 5.9 keV, and is able to operate at room temperature, +25∘C, with moderate resolution around 760 eV (FWHM). The response of the top layer sensor is highly uniform across the sensitive area. This large-format silicon detector is appropriate for future X-ray timing missions.