Exploration of Organic Electronics as Radiation Detectors

该计划将探索有机电子作为辐射检测设备的使用。特别地，有机场效应晶体管（OFFERT）将是主要的感兴趣的器件。有机电子器件作为辐射探测器具有巨大的潜力，这有两个重要原因。首先，它们的化学成分比传统的硅基电子产品更接近水。这在辐射剂量测定领域中至关重要，因为人体中能量沉积的估计通常近似于水中的能量吸收。其次，有机电子产品的制造过程比传统电子产品更简单，更便宜，更灵活。完全有机的辐射探测器不需要硅晶片，可以采用简单的制造工艺，如旋涂，可以沉积在柔性基板上，并且可以在广泛的辐射类型和能量范围内使用，而无需重新校准（与任何其他传统的辐射探测器不同）。 在这项研究计划中，有机辐射探测器将在多个方面进行探索。蒙特卡罗模拟将用于研究探测器的化学成分，以及物理尺寸和形状，对设备的能量依赖性以及由探测器引入局部辐射场的扰动的作用。研究化学成分的目的不仅是为了在尽可能宽的能量范围内最大限度地提高水当量，而且也是为了利用成分（即通过包括高原子序数材料），以便通过使用多个探测器阵列（即具有不同能量灵敏度的多个探测器）进行能谱绘图。 麦吉尔大学（通过与化学系Dmytrii Perepichka教授的密切合作）制造的设备将详细研究它们对许多变量的依赖性，包括：能量（~50 kVp - 18 MV光子），剂量率，温度，施加偏压，累积剂量和方向响应。还将根据检测器性能的其他标准措施（如线性、再现性、稳定性等）对其进行研究。 旨在理解OFET辐射探测器中信号产生的基本机制的基础研究将利用各种分析技术（即UV、NMR、荧光和电子顺磁共振光谱）。 该研究计划将培养研究生非常有价值的技能，并提供有关有机电子辐射响应的宝贵信息，不仅对医学物理学家，而且对其他在空间科学和军事应用等领域工作的人都有巨大的好处。

This program will explore the use of organic electronics as radiation detection devices. In particular, organic field effect transistors (OFETs) will be the principal device of interest. Organic electronics have tremendous potential as radiation detectors for two important reasons. First, their chemical composition more closely resembles water than conventional, silicon-based electronics. This is critically important in the field of radiation dosimetry since estimates of energy deposition in the human body are routinely approximated by energy absorption in water. Second, the processes by which organic electronics are manufactured can be simpler, cheaper and more flexible than with conventional electronics. A completely organic radiation detector does not require silicon wafers, can employ simple manufacturing processes such as spin coating, can be deposited on flexible substrates and can be used across a wide spectrum of radiation types and energies without requiring recalibration (unlike any other conventional radiation detector). In this research program organic radiation detectors will be explored on multiple fronts. Monte Carlo simulations will be used to investigate the roles of detector chemical composition, as well as physical size and shape, on the energy-dependence of the devices as well as the perturbations introduced by the detector to the local radiation field. Chemical composition will be studied for the purpose of not only maximizing water-equivalence across as wide an energy range as possible, but also for the purpose of exploiting composition (i.e. through the inclusion of high atomic number materials) to permit energy spectrum mapping through the use of multiple detector arrays (i.e. multiple detectors with different energy sensitivities). Devices that are manufactured at McGill University (through a close collaboration with professor Dmytrii Perepichka in the Department of Chemistry) will be studied in detail with respect to their dependence on a number of variables, including: energy (~50 kVp - 18 MV photons), dose rate, temperature, applied bias, cumulative dose and directional response. They will also be studied with respect to other standard measures of detector performance such as linearity, reproducibility, stability etc. Basic research aimed at developing an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of signal generation in OFET radiation detectors will make use of various analytical techniques (i.e. UV, NMR, fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy). This research program will develop highly valuable skill sets in graduate students and provide valuable information on the radiation response of organic electronics that will be of tremendous benefit to not only Medical Physicists, but others working in fields such as space science and military applications.