2D DETECTORS FOR SYNCHROTRON X-RAY SOURCES, SOME COMPARATIVE TESTS

Modern diffraction experiments using synchrotron X-ray sources impose requirements on X-ray detectors that can only be met with sophisticated techniques. The limits on the information which can be recorded by the detectors, are under pressure from the requirements of the science. Higher positional resolution, larger dynamic range, and faster image capture rates are all being asked of the latest systems. The suitability of X-ray sensitive emulsions, and the new phosphor imaging plates have been compared to the delay line readout multiwire proportional counter system which is in use of the Daresbury Laboratory Synchrotron Radiation Source. The three detector types have been studied with respect to their positional resolution, sensitive area, temporal resolution, maximum rate, and dynamic range. Although, in general, the requirements are for detectors working with mono-energetic beams the tests described have been performed at more than one energy. Some results from this study are presented.