High Performance Diamond Detectors

Charged particles accelerators are important tools in the study of fundamental properties of matter and energy. The accelerators often cost billions of dollars; yet, they are only as effective as the detectors in them. Man made (CVD) diamond combines unusual radiation hardness with the ultimate in charge carrier mobility to enable far superior detectors. Thus, 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. Diamond detectors exhibit tissue equivalence- a property important for accurate radiation dose monitoring. Charged particle radiation therapy (such as Proton therapy) is found effective in prolonging life and leading to recovery in cancer patients. The proposed detectors are anticipated to improve the precision of this treatment thereby improving survival rates. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: High quality diamond offers unusual ability to provide electronic functionality at extremely high temperature. Large area single crystal may ultimately enable a wide array of superior electronics. First to benefit will likely be high temperature electronics such as in power grid management and conversion applications. Other common high power density electronic products such as millimeter wave telecommunication devices, civilian and military radars will also benefit