Segmented Monolithic Germanium Detector Arrays for X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The DOE operates several synchrotron x-ray-absorbtion-spectroscopy facilities for the study of dilute samples of chemical, biological, condensed matter, and environmental interest. These facilites require advanced semiconductor detectors. This project will develop detector arrays for x-ray absorption spectroscopy, based on germanium technology, which will increase x-ray count rate capability and improve spectral resolution. These improvements will decrease the amount of beam time needed to perform experiments and make a greater number and variety of experiments possible. During Phase I, seven-element monolithic detectors will be fabricated and evaluated. A variety of detectors will be made using different fabrication parameters, and the effect each parameter on detector performance will be determined. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to its use in x-ray detectors at DOE facilities, the technology also should improve germanium detectors in such areas as nuclear nonproliferation, medical imaging, low-background counting, and rare-event detection.