91
A
New N+ Contact for Germanium Strip Detectors--Radiation
Monitoring Devices, Inc., 44 Hunt Street, Suite 200, Watertown, MA
02472-4699;
617-926-1167, www.rmdinc.com
Mr.
Kanai S. Shah, Principal Investigator,
Dr.
Gerald Entine, Business Official,
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83759
Amount:
$750,000
Germanium
strip detectors are very promising for X-ray and g-ray
imaging with high resolution. However,
existing n+ lithium electrodes prevent the full potential of high
purity germanium (HPGe) strip detectors from being exploited in nuclear physics
experiments as well as in many other applications.
This project will investigate a new approach, using new semiconductor
processing techniques, for the fabrication of n+ electrodes on HPGe
crystals. The approach would be
suitable for the fabrication of conventional HPGe designs as well as strip
detectors. Phase
I was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of producing the HPGe strip
detector using the new n+ contacts. In
addition, the detection of X-rays with the new detector was demonstrated.
Phase II will optimize processing conditions to enhance the performance
of the new n+ contacts for HPGe detectors. Planar
HPGe detectors with low capacitance and double sided strip detectors with
orthogonal strips will be built using the new n+ contact technology.
These devices will be extensively characterized for nuclear physics
studies.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as
described by awardee: The
proposed detectors would be very useful in nuclear and particle physics
research. Additional applications
include X-ray astronomy, synchrotron studies, medical imaging, nuclear
non-proliferation, and non-destructive studies.