Solid-state Devices for Ionizing Radiation Detection

Detection of ionizing radiation is an increasingly important topic. As technology advances in renewable fission/fusion energy, medical imaging, and the ever-increasing threat to national security from foreign threats, radiation detection must be at the forefront to provide real-time responses to safety concerns. Improvements in materials, synthesis, fabrication, and device engineering with intrinsic benefits are required to outperform current state-of-the-art detection mechanisms. In this regard, solid-state detectors can provide highly efficient detection modes and enable a portable and low-power solution. Examples include efficient detection of ionizing radiation from neutrons, and high energy photons (X-rays) are highly desired as they pose health effects if not considered. Biological interactions with neutrons may cause mutations in DNA due to ionization, while long X-ray exposure can induce burns and cancer at high dosages. This research focuses on the fabrication and scalability of highly efficient microstructured thermal neutron detectors (MSNDs) based on PIN-structured Si wafers and highly sensitive inorganic perovskite X-ray detectors. Presented with novel deposition techniques that include a solvent-free material synthesis and device fabrication process, thin and thick-film inorganic lead- halide perovskite X-ray detectors which exceed performances of the commonly used materials, such as amorphous Selenium and cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT), are achieved. Lastly, a path to technology integration with commonly used signal processing units is discussed.