Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2025
11:32
High Pressure Single Crystal Diffraction at PX^2
Published on: January 16, 2017
21.4K
Three-dimensional diamond planar spiral detectors.
Rebecca J Watkins1, Patrick S Salter2, Ralph J Moors1
1London Centre for Nanotechnology and Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, UCL (University College London), 17-19 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH, UK.
Scientific Reports
|March 13, 2025
Summary
This study demonstrates a novel method for fabricating robust diamond radiation detectors. By using laser-written nano-carbon electrodes in thick diamond substrates, researchers achieved thin detector performance resilient to high radiation doses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nuclear Instrumentation
- Detector Physics
Background:
- Diamond offers excellent carrier transport and radiation tolerance for alpha/neutron detection.
- High-dose radiation degrades diamond detectors by reducing carrier mean free path.
- Thin detectors with reduced electrode spacing enhance radiation tolerance but use fragile substrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a radiation-hard diamond detector using a thick substrate.
- To overcome the fragility limitations of thin diamond substrates in detector fabrication.
- To improve detector resolution and charge collection efficiency for high-radiation environments.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a "thin" detector using a 300 μm thick diamond substrate.
- Integration of a 3D network of laser-written nano-carbon electrodes.
- Optimization of a femtosecond laser writing process with specialized optics.
- Design of planar detectors with spiral Ti/Pt/Au and internal nano-carbon network electrodes (20 μm depth, 50 μm separation).
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of a diamond detector on a thick, resilient substrate.
- Introduction of nano-carbon network electrodes significantly improved detector resolution.
- Achieved near 100% charge collection efficiency and nanosecond rise times.
- Demonstrated "thin" detector performance in a structurally robust, "thick" substrate.
Conclusions:
- Laser-written nano-carbon electrodes enable high-performance diamond detectors on thick substrates.
- This approach enhances radiation tolerance and overcomes substrate fragility issues.
- The developed detectors are suitable for demanding applications requiring resilience to high radiation doses.
