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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Low-energy Cathodoluminescence for (Oxy)Nitride Phosphors
Published on: November 15, 2016
A solid-state amorphous selenium avalanche technology for low photon flux imaging applications
M M Wronski1, W Zhao, A Reznik
1Department of Medical Biophysics, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada. matt.wronski@utoronto.ca
Purpose:
The feasibility of a practical solid-state technology for low photon flux imaging applications was investigated. The technology is based on an amorphous selenium photoreceptor with a voltage-controlled avalanche multiplication gain. If this photoreceptor can provide sufficient internal gain, it will be useful for an extensive range of diagnostic imaging systems.
Methods:
The avalanche photoreceptor under investigation is referred to as HARP-DRL. This is a novel concept in which a high-gain avalanche rushing photoconductor (HARP) is integrated with a distributed resistance layer (DRL) and sandwiched between two electrodes. The avalanche gain and leakage current characteristics of this photoreceptor were measured.
Results:
HARP-DRL has been found to sustain very high electric field strengths without electrical breakdown. It has shown avalanche multiplication gains as high as 10(4) and a very low leakage current (< or = 20 pA/mm2).
Conclusions:
This is the first experimental demonstration of a solid-state amorphous photoreceptor which provides sufficient internal avalanche gain for photon counting and photon starved imaging applications.
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