AstroPix: Monolithic Active Pixel detectors for space-based gamma-ray astronomy

To further our understanding of non-thermal emission from the Universe, the gamma-ray astronomy community must close the "MeV gap" in sensitivity and design a mission with sensitive spectral and imaging capabilities in the energy range from tens of keV to hundreds of MeV. One concept that would deliver these capabilities is the proposed AMEGO-X mission.

We are currently designing AstroPix, a monolithic active silicon pixel sensor, for use in the tracker subsystem of AMEGO-X. With its low noise, integrated readout system, and fine spatial and energy resolution, AstroPix will provide precise measurements of gamma-ray interactions and secondary particles in the detector and enable AMEGO-X to detect and reconstruct gamma-ray photons over more than four decades in energy and interacting via three different mechanism (photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and pair production).

Current efforts aim at characterizing and optimizing AstroPix prototypes in the lab and at particle beams, leading up to a suborbital flight in 2024. In this presentation, I will give an overview of the AstroPix project, its goals, and status.