Knowledge Exchange in AlGaAs X-ray detectors - resubmission

AlGaAs X 射线探测器知识交流 - 重新提交

• 批准号: ST/H000127/1
• 负责人: Jo Shien Ng
• 金额: $ 17.45万
• 依托单位: University of Sheffield
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2009 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ST%2FH000127%2F1
• 关键词: Knowledge; Exchange; AlGaAs; ray; detectors

The ideal detector for X-ray spectroscopy imaging system would have 100% detection efficiency, spatial resolution of a few microns, and spectral resolution of a few eV. It should also have low power consumption and be able to operate over a wide range of temperatures and in demanding radiation environments. In contrast, available Silicon X-ray detectors have low radiation tolerance limitations and demand thermal cooling for X-ray spectroscopy. Hence there is a need for detectors that have good spatial and energy resolution, good radiation tolerance and can operate at or above room temperature without the need for external cooling. For many spectroscopic applications high quantum efficiency for soft X-ray photons with incident energies between 1 and 10 keV is essential since it is in this range where the elements Na (Z = 11, Ek = 1.04 keV) to Zn (Z = 30, Ek = 8.64 keV) have their K-shell emission lines. New detectors based on wide bandgap (> 2 eV) semiconductor materials have potentials to overcome the spectroscopic, temperature, radiation and voltage limitations of silicon. AlGaAs is one such material and detectors based on this material could find applications in areas such as medical and small animal imaging, real time extremity dosimetry as well as environmental monitoring such as X-ray fluorescence analysis of oil contaminates. AlGaAs detectors should also be able to operate in harsh radiation environments such as those associated with oil exploration and volcanic studies as well as future planetary missions and/or landers. Over the last two years the two academic groups (Space Instrumentation Group, University of Leicester and the Avalanche Photodiode Group, University of Sheffield) have been exploring the use of wide band gap semiconductors for use as X-ray and UV photon counting detectors. The Leicester - Sheffield collaboration have fabricated and measured the properties of simple AlGaAs pin diodes. Having pioneered the use of AlGaAs sensors as room temperature X-ray detectors we now believe that it is timely to seek funds to accelerate the knowledge exchange between the two groups to maintain the hard won scientific and commercial lead. Centronic Limited is a SME which has a wide portfolio in radiation detectors for a range of demanding applications. The Company produces detectors for monitoring of alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray and neutron radiation. These detectors are designed to suit a wide range of demanding applications, however, these are primarily non-imaging or spectroscopic. Access to AlGaAs detectors will open new and commercially lucrative markets. They have recently expanded into the USA, opening a branch in Houston, Centronic LLC which will increase the technology transfer opportunities. The Knowledge Exchange aspects of this work are key objectives of the project and these will be developed in collaboration with the commercial partner, Centronic Ltd. Some of the Knowledge Exchange outcomes are summarised below: University of Leicester 1) Access to new technology for X-ray and particle detection 2) Understanding of semiconductor materials 3) Understanding of fabrication processes 4) Commercial and scientific opportunities unique to wide band gap semiconductors University of Sheffield 1) Access to expertise in high resolution X-ray detectors 2) Understanding of X-ray photon counting detectors 3) Understanding of spectroscopic imaging 4) Establishing a X-ray testing facility 5) New outlets for detectors - medical, automotive, and space instrumentation. Centronic Limited 1) Access to new technology 2) New market opportunities. in particular using radiation detectors for the oil industry, and healthcare. 3) New knowledge in imaging X-ray spectroscopy A successful project will produce sensors that have applications in many areas, with potential benefits for healthcare in the UK (through better medical senors) and environment studies.

X射线光谱成像系统的理想探测器应具有100%的探测效率、几微米的空间分辨率和几eV的光谱分辨率。它还应该具有低功耗，并能够在广泛的温度范围内和苛刻的辐射环境中工作。相比之下，可用的硅X射线探测器具有低辐射耐受性限制，并且需要用于X射线光谱的热冷却。因此，需要具有良好的空间和能量分辨率、良好的辐射耐受性并且可以在室温或高于室温下操作而不需要外部冷却的检测器。对于许多光谱应用，入射能量在1和10 keV之间的软X射线光子的高量子效率是必要的，因为在该范围内，元素Na（Z = 11，Ek = 1.04 keV）至Zn（Z = 30，Ek = 8.64 keV）具有它们的K壳层发射线。基于宽带隙（> 2 eV）半导体材料的新型探测器具有克服硅的光谱、温度、辐射和电压限制的潜力。AlGaAs是一种这样的材料，基于这种材料的探测器可以在诸如医学和小动物成像、真实的时间极端剂量测定以及诸如油污染物的X射线荧光分析的环境监测等领域中找到应用。AlGaAs探测器还应该能够在恶劣的辐射环境中工作，例如与石油勘探和火山研究以及未来的行星任务和/或着陆器有关的环境。在过去两年中，两个学术小组（莱斯特大学空间仪器小组和谢菲尔德大学雪崩光电二极管小组）一直在探索将宽带隙半导体用作X射线和紫外光子计数探测器。莱斯特和谢菲尔德的合作已经制造并测量了简单的AlGaAs pin二极管的特性。在率先使用AlGaAs传感器作为室温X射线探测器之后，我们现在认为，现在是时候寻求资金来加速两个小组之间的知识交流，以保持来之不易的科学和商业领先地位。Centronic Limited是一家中小型企业，拥有广泛的辐射探测器产品组合，可用于各种苛刻的应用。该公司生产用于监测α、β、γ、X射线和中子辐射的探测器。这些探测器的设计适合广泛的要求苛刻的应用，然而，这些主要是非成像或光谱。获得AlGaAs探测器将打开新的商业利润丰厚的市场。他们最近扩展到美国，在休斯顿开设了一个分支，Centronic LLC，这将增加技术转让的机会。这项工作的知识交流方面是该项目的主要目标，这些方面将与商业伙伴Centronic Ltd.合作开发。知识交流的一些成果总结如下：莱斯特大学1）接触X射线和粒子检测的新技术2）了解半导体材料3）了解制造工艺4）谢菲尔德大学1）获得高分辨率X射线探测器的专业知识2）了解X射线光子计数探测器3）了解光谱成像4）建立X射线测试设施5）探测器的新出口-医疗、汽车和空间仪器仪表。Centronic Limited 1）获得新技术2）新的市场机会。特别是将辐射探测器用于石油工业和医疗保健。3)成像X射线光谱学的新知识一个成功的项目将生产在许多领域都有应用的传感器，对英国的医疗保健（通过更好的医疗传感器）和环境研究有潜在的好处。