Solar-Blind Solid-State Energetic Particle Detection for Next-Generation Instruments

In this Phase II project, Advent Diamond continues development of particle detectors which utilize doped and undoped semiconducting diamond to enable new space-based particle detection instrumentation.nbsp; The detectors will have multiple, independent active layers.nbsp; The active layers are made out of intrinsic (undoped) semiconducting diamond. The top active layer thickness can be customized to meet customer needs, with sub micron thicknesses demonstrated in Phase I. This is anticipated to enable unprecedented measurement resolution. The first application targeted will be for measurements and identification of ions with energies in the range of MeVs. In this application, the envisioned implementation of the innovation in an instrument is to use the dual-sided diamond detector as the first detector in a telescope stack, and use conventional silicon energy loss detectors behind it.nbsp; In addition, Advent Diamond will offer a suite of customization options to target other energies and applications. Unique features of the detectors include solar blind response, and separate top-side and back-side responsivity to various radiation is an additional instrument enabling feature. Essentially, this innovation will offer 2-in-1 measurements.nbsp; These detectors represent a significant advancement over the state of the art, and will be the first diode-type diamond particle detectors and single-chip diamond telescope-type detectors available on the commercial market for space and terrestrial applications. Phase I prototypes have been successfully fabricated and tested, confirming the feasibility of this approach. In addition, collaborators, beta users and mentors have been identified for Phase II to ensure the successful development and insertion of the developed components.nbsp;