Traditionally, separate analog-to-digital convertors and time-to-digital convertors have been used in many physics experiments to measure both the energy and timing of detected particles but these devices provide only charge and leading edge timing. A well known technique, Wave Form Digitizing at each detector is a better method, but it has been too expensive. It provides the evolutionary history of the pulse, including pulse shape, which assists in particle identification. This project will investigate new developments in the personal computer marketplace, which offer the possibility of an order-of-magnitude reduction in the cost of high speed waveform digitizers. Phase I will determine the feasibility of employing these techniques in the design of high speed waveform digitizers for multi- channel physics applications. A successful conclusion will provide the basis for development of commercial products in FASTCAMAC, VME, VME-P and direct chamber mounted boards.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The ability to design high speed, low cost, and low power Wave Form Digitizers should provide the opportunity for the improvement of small experiments with multiple particles and high rate environments at a modest cost. The technique of evolution of particle shape should be valuable to nuclear, atomic and high energy physics as well as other related fields.
