Synthetic diamond-based position-sensitive photoconductive detector development for the Advanced Photon Source.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• X-ray Detection Technology
• Photonics

Background:

• Developing advanced detectors for hard X-ray applications is crucial for scientific research and industrial imaging.
• Traditional detectors face limitations in speed, resolution, and radiation hardness.
• Synthetic diamond offers unique properties like high thermal conductivity and radiation resistance, making it a promising substrate material.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate a novel X-ray beam-position detection device utilizing synthetic diamond.
• To investigate the feasibility of using synthetic diamond as a substrate for hard X-ray position-sensitive detectors based on photoconductivity.
• To evaluate the performance of the position-sensitive photoconductive detector (PSPCD) as an X-ray beam monitor and profiler.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of position-sensitive photoconductive detector (PSPCD) samples using synthetic diamond substrates.
• Characterization of PSPCD performance using high-heat-flux white undulator beams and monochromatic hard X-ray beams at the Advanced Photon Source.
• Testing PSPCD in quadrant configuration for beam-position monitoring and in multipixel array configuration for beam profiling.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of using synthetic diamond for hard X-ray position-sensitive detection via the photoconductivity principle.
• Confirmed that the PSPCD functions effectively as a solid-state ion chamber.
• Presented successful test results of PSPCD as both an X-ray beam-position monitor and an X-ray beam profiler.

Conclusions:

• Synthetic diamond is a viable and effective substrate material for developing advanced hard X-ray position-sensitive detectors.
• The developed PSPCD shows significant potential for applications requiring precise X-ray beam monitoring and profiling.
• The PSPCD offers a promising solid-state alternative to existing X-ray detection technologies.