72
Thick
Silicon Photodiodes for High Efficiency X- and Gamma-Ray
Spectroscopy--Photon
Imaging, Inc., 19355 Business Center Drive, Suite 8, Northridge, CA
91344; 818-709-2468
Dr.
Carolyn R. Tull, Principal Investigator, ctull@photonimaginginc.com
Dr.
Bradley E. Patt, Business Official, bradpatt@compuserve.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-01ER83287
Amount:
$100,000
Photomultiplier
tubes currently used in nuclear physics experiments are expensive, are unstable
with respect to temperature, require high operating voltages, are sensitive to
magnetic fields, and are bulky and fragile.
This project will develop solid-state silicon photodiodes that will
replace the currently used photomultiplier tubes in nuclear science gamma-ray
spectroscopy. These new devices will offer lower cost, higher reliability,
insensitivity to magnetic fields, lower noise, lower mass, and less power
consumption compared with photomultiplier tubes. In Phase I, prototype silicon photodiodes will be designed,
fabricated, and characterized with respect to their performance in response to
x-rays, and in response to gamma-rays when coupled with scintillators.
Characterization tests will be designed so that the resulting data is
relevant to determining the applicability of these new devices to nuclear
physics x- and gamma-ray spectroscopy.
Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: New x- and gamma-ray detectors should have applications in environmental remediation efforts, characterization of nuclear materials, astrophysics, and portable instruments for detecting of weapons grade materials at customs inspection points.