High Performance Diamond Detectors

Charged particle accelerators are important tools in the study of the fundamental properties of matter and energy. The accelerators often cost billions of dollars but are only as effective as the detectors in them. Man made CVD (chemical vapor deposition) diamond combines unusual radiation hardness with the ultimate in charge carrier mobility to enable far superior detectors. This project will develop a method for joining single-crystal man-made diamond into a large area mosaic, providing, for the first time, low-cost, high-performance, large-area diamond detectors. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to the application to charged particle accelerators, these diamond detectors could provide accurate radiation-dose monitoring in cancer treatment, thereby improving survival rates. Because high quality diamond offers the ability to provide electronic functionality at extremely high temperature, the technology also may enable a wide range of superior electronics with applications in power grid management and conversion, millimeter wave telecommunication devices, and civilian and military radars.