Development of novel pixel sensor AstroPix for future space telescope AMEGO-X

by Dr Abhradeep Roy (Hiroshima University (Japan))

Monday 15 Dec 2025, 14:30 → 16:30 Asia/Kolkata

AG 80 (TIFR, Mumbai)

The proposed next generation medium-energy (100 keV to 100 MeV) gamma-ray observatory, AMEGO-X, will lead to significant advancements in our understanding of the most violent high-energy phenomena of the universe. Such observatories require energy-efficient, highly scalable pixelated detectors with good spatial and spectral resolutions and high sensitivity in the Compton-scattering-dominated MeV regime. AstroPix is a monolithic high-voltage CMOS active pixel sensor, being developed for AMEGO-X. The development of AstroPix is aimed at achieving low power consumption, good spatial and energy resolution, and full depletion of the silicon sensors, as required by AMEGO-X for efficient detection of MeV photons. I will present an update on the progress of AstroPix development and characterization. To validate the AstroPix for space-based applications, we are developing a multi-layered prototype called the AstroPix Sounding rocket Technology demonstration Payload (A-STEP), composed of three layers of one quad-chip each. A-STEP will demonstrate the technological readiness of AstroPix sensors in a space environment for the first time. We carried out preliminary simulations to estimate the A-STEP performance under cosmic background radiation during its first space flight. I will discuss the ongoing activities, and prospects for space-based gamma-ray observation with AstroPix.