Improving the Sensitivity and Robustness of Compton Telescopes through the Development of Single-Crystal Diamond Scattering Layers

We propose a novel Compton Telescope prototype design using artificial diamond detectors that would be sensitive to soft- to medium-energy gamma-rays. Diamond detectors offer the possibility of position and energy resolution comparable to those of silicon solid-state detectors, combined with efficiency and timing resolution so far only achievable using fast scintillators. The increase in density achieved with diamond detectors makes them desirable as a scattering layer in a Compton Telescope. Work performed by internally funded projects at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has resulted in proof-of-principle measurements for the Diamond Compton Telescope concept using single-crystal diamonds and cerium bromide calorimeters. We here propose designing and building a diamond/scintillator Compton Telescope prototype with a custom ASIC readout to provide time-of-flight (ToF) background rejection capability. LANL will purchase diamond elements from Great Lakes Crystal Technologies, which has provided detectors for previous LANL based diamond work, and pattern them with cross-strip readout electrodes. We will design and construct a small (1 -2 inches square, 2 layers) stack of diamond layers to form a scattering detector with ~1 mm position resolution. Cerium bromide calorimeters will be used as the calorimeter absorption layer. We will select a readout ASIC for each detector subsystem and combine them into a complete telescope readout with DAQ. The instrument will be calibrated with lab sources and the detector sensitivity to gamma-rays and neutron backgrounds will be established. Laboratory data will serve as to benchmark simulation, from which the capabilities of a space-based instrument will be extrapolated. Diamond detectors are low-Z, high-density (3.5 g/cm-3), radiation hard, light- and temperature-insensitive, and capable of sub-millimeter position resolution and sub-nanosecond timing resolution. Stacks of diamond layers with fine position resolution could function as sensitive, high-resolution Compton polarimeters for soft gamma rays (50 - 200 keV) and as imaging spectrometers for MeV neutrons via the double-scatter technique. A diamond stack, combined with a fast calorimeter, forms an efficient and high-resolution Compton Telescope with sensitivity to MeV gamma rays and ToF background rejection. The proposed work will demonstrate these potential applications by measuring MeV gamma rays and neutrons. The increased technology readiness level of the telescope will pave the way for follow-on space-based demonstrations using Los Alamos's extensive capabilities in CubeSat mission development.

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