Large-area Radiation-hard Synchrotron X-ray Detectors

Modern synchrotron-based X-ray imaging techniques, such as coherent X-ray diffraction imaging and phase contrast imaging require high beam coherence and highly penetrating X-rays. The new generation of synchrotrons achieve enhanced coherence at beam energies greater than 30-50keV. These new prospects for non-destructive imaging require high spatial resolution and efficient large area detectors. Current X-ray detectors are limited in efficiency (Si-based) and spatial resolution (scintillator-based) and cannot meet the current imaging demands. Under this SBIR program, we will develop and commercialize a high spatial resolution highly-scalable X-ray detector system using a novel radiation-hard high-Z semiconductor. The major tasks of phase I would be: (a) Detector structure optimization, (b) Deposition and demonstration of the detector capabilities using a photon counting system, and (c) Design and test feasibility of the detector-specific CMOS array with high spatial resolution. This economical high spatial resolution X-ray detector fabricated using a highly efficient semiconductor meets the advanced high-energy synchrotron X- ray detector requirements. These detectors will be commercially available for implementation at all the synchrotron light sources across the world that are being used for scientific research and medical applications. These detectors also have immense potential for commercial applications in medical and industrial imaging applications.