Large area, pico-second resolution, time of flight detectors

A detector for detecting a particle is disclosed. The detector includes a charge emitter that emits a charge in response to receipt of the particle, an anode for receiving the emitted charge, and electronics for determining whether there is received charge on the anode. The anode may include a pad for receiving the charge and a plurality of conduits (such as transmission lines) for transmitting the charge to the electronics. The anode may be designed to reduce the variance in the path length from the pad of the anode to the electronics. For example, the plurality of conduits in the anode may be constructed such that the transit time of the charge from the pad varies less than a predetermined time. Further, a capacitive element may be included in the detector in order to capacitively couple with the charge emitter. The capacitive element may include a grid that is in the same layer as the pads of the anode in order to provide a short and less variable circuit return path to the charge emitter.