The Timepix3 detector is position, energy, and time-sensitive: For each ionizing particle (e.g., X-ray photon), it digitally registers its position, energy, time of arrival, and track shape – basically, all information you can want. The other measures can be calculated from the track shape (particle type, direction of flight, LET, charge …). The information on each detected particle is either read out immediately (pixel mode) at a maximal rate of 2.3 million hit pixels per second (pixel mode) or accumulated in images (frame mode) and read out later at a maximal speed of 16 frames per second.
The typical and intended applications of MiniPIX TPX3 are:
Spectral X-ray imaging: X-ray fluorescence imaging, X-ray radiography (low flux)
Energy dispersive XRD, SAXS, or WAXS: Monochromatic X-ray source is unnecessary! Even high energy for thick samples is possible (e.g., 100 keV)!
Spectral gamma-ray imaging: Scintigraphy or SPECT, radiography with isotopes
Radiation monitor1: Particle type sorting, spectroscopy, directional sensitivity
Gamma camera: Special shielded box and collimators are available upon request
Compton camera: Gamma-ray imaging based on Compton scattering (special software module for image reconstruction is required)
The MiniPIX TPX3 device is controlled via USB 2.0 interface with a standard μUSB connector. The complex software PIXET PRO for detector operation is provided with the device. All major operating systems (MS Windows, Mac OS, and LINUX) are supported. Extra software modules are available for special functions (e.g., spectrum filtering and reconstruction, coded aperture image reconstruction, Compton camera image and spectrum reconstruction, radiation field decomposition, and networking of many devices …)