Optimisation of the design for the LOFT large area detector module

The Large Observatory For X-ray Timing (LOFT) is one of the 5 missions considered by ESA as an M3 candidate. The LOFT scientific payload consists of a collimated Large Area Detector (LAD) and a Wide Field Monitor (WFM). The scale of the LAD (10 m² effective area) puts it in a new design space for X-ray astronomy, with resulting implications for design trade-offs, modularity, manufacturing, assembly, test and calibration processes. This paper focuses on the LAD module, which is the building block of the instrument. We present the overall module design, discussing these challenges and how they have been addressed.