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. The detectors will have multiple, independent active layers. 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. 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. 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. In this Phase II project, Advent Diamond proposes to continue development of diamond-based particle detectors which utilize doped and undoped semiconducting diamond to enable new space-based particle detection instrumentation. This line of detectors will include multilayered single chip telescope-type detectors. The first application targeted will be for measurements of heavy ions with energies in the range of MeVs. In addition, Advent Diamond will offer a suite of customization options to target other energies (10skeV-10sMeV) with solar blind and selective gamma response. 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. TO1  Device design optimization for enhanced performance and larger areas Deliverable 1: Optimized design for first diamond detector for MeV ion detection TO2 Diamond optimization and growth : fabrication studies for ultra-flat, ultra-smooth diamond surface preparation and deposition, reducing the thickness of the boron-doped layer, fabricating i/p/i epiwafers shaped by etching for subsequent prototype development Deliverable 2: Diamond deposition process ready fro lab to fab transitions for large volume manufacturing TO3 Three-layer energy telescope detector prototype fabrication Deliverable 3: Diamond detector prototypes ready for testing TO4 Fabricate additional prototypes; test and characterize prototypes  Deliverable 4: Diamond detector prototypes ready for beta users and mission insertion to increase the TRL TO5 Increase TRL, produce prototypes for testing and distribution, understand insertion requirements Deliverable 5: Commercialization and TRL increment plan developed and implemented      

Measurements of the composition, sources and properties of energetic particles can aid in understanding the complex processes in the solar system environment.   This innovation is an instrumentation-enabling technology for measurements of charged particles. Missions which make use of particle measurements include the Parker Solar Probe, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and the Solar Orbiter, and future missions include HERMES and the Geospace Dynamics Constellation.  The specifications which can be achieved with this innovation surpass the state-of-the-art detectors and will enable next-generation measurement technologies for non-NASA applications in: oncological radiation therapy safety monitoring, particle physics experiments, DoD spacecraft monitoring, NOAA instruments; and, ion beam calibration for space electronics testing.

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