Integrated energy-sensitive and position-sensitive x-ray detection system

An integrated x-ray detection system, comprising:

• a wafer capable of supporting integrated circuitry;
• a housing for housing said wafer and a gas, wherein at least a portion of said housing passes x-ray photons which partially ionize said gas thereby producing at least one electron;
• a plurality of anodes fabricated on said wafer, said plurality of anodes being maintained at a first potential;
• a plurality of potential strips alternately arranged among said plurality of anodes on said wafer and maintained at a second potential;
• a cathode plane arranged along said wafer and maintained at a third potential;
• a back potential plane fabricated on said wafer and maintained at a fourth potential, wherein said first, second, third and fourth potentials are selected such that said at least one electron is accelerated toward one of said plurality of anodes with sufficient energy to produce a pulse at said one of said plurality of anodes;
• a plurality of active signal processing circuits integrated into said wafer and respectively coupled to said plurality of anodes wherein a respective one of said plurality of signal processing circuits receives and processes said pulse to yield a digital signal indicating location of said one of said plurality of anodes and height of said pulse;
• and
• an insulating layer for separating said plurality of anodes, said plurality of potential strips and said back potential plane from said active signal processing circuit.