Novel, Low Cost, High Gain, Micropattern Detector

Nuclear physics research has a need for new radiation detector structures having improved characteristics and lower cost. These detectors are needed to provide higher resolution capability for detecting, tracking, and analyzing gamma rays, high- and low-energy neutrons, low-energy ion beams, etc. This project will develop a novel, low cost, hybrid sensor with potential amplification gains on the order of 1011, positional resolutions approaching 10 µm, good spectral resolution, and device risetimes in the range of 10 picoseconds. Phase I established technical feasibility via a combination of device design, materials and performance analysis, development of a viable electronics readout scheme, and computer modeling simulations. Five targeted applications areas in nuclear physics, which could significantly benefit from the new detector technology, were identified and analyzed. Phase II will involve the fabrication, experimental testing, optimization, and analysis of the proposed detector devices. A number of fully-integrated and hermetically-sealed detectors will be delivered to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, along with readout electronics, for analysis and performance testing with respect to the targeted applications. In-beam functional testing will be included, along with measurement of device efficiency, timing resolution, position resolution and energy resolution. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to nuclear physics, the two most important commercial applications are medical imaging and homeland security. For medical imaging applications, lower-cost, higher-resolution detectors should be applicable to CT imagers, PET, SPECT, PET/MRI, SPECT/MRI, digital Xrays, CTA, myocardial imaging, scintillation mammography, etc. For homeland security, the detectors could be used for active and passive radiation detection systems, including vehicle and cargo monitors/radiography.