Proton-induced radiation damage in germanium detectors

• Published in: IEEE transactions on nuclear science Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 209 - 217
• Main Authors: Bruckner, J., Korfer, M., Wanke, H., Schroeder, A.N.F., Filges, D., Dragovitsch, P., Englert, P.A.J., Starr, R., Trombka, J.I., Taylor, I., Drake, D.M., Shunk, E.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Legacy CDMS IEEE 01.04.1991; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Subjects: 440200 - Radiation Effects on Instrument Components, Instruments, or Electronic Systems; ANNEALING; BARYONS; ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; Energy measurement; Exact sciences and technology; FERMIONS; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; GE SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS; Germanium; HADRONS; HEAT TREATMENTS; HIGH-PURITY GE DETECTORS; INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; IRRADIATION; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; NUCLEONS; Other topics in instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Particle measurements; Physics; PROTONS; RADIATION DETECTORS; RADIATION EFFECTS; RESOLUTION; SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS; Shape; SPACE FLIGHT; Space missions; Spacecraft Instrumentation; Temperature; Degradation; Irradiation; Proton; Radiation detector; Experimental study
• ISSN: 0018-9499; 1558-1578
• DOI: 10.1109/23.289298

High-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors will be used in future space missions for gamma-ray measurements and will be subject to interactions with energetic particles. To simulate this process, several large-volume n-type HPGe detectors were incrementally exposed to a particle fluence of up to 10/sup 8/ protons cm/sup -2/ (proton energy: 1.5 GeV) at different operating temperatures (90 to 120 K) to induce radiation damage. Basic scientific and engineering data on detector performance were collected. During the incremental irradiation, the peak shape produced by the detectors showed a significant change from a Gaussian shape to a broad complex structure. After the irradiation, all detectors were thoroughly characterized by measuring many parameters. To remove the accumulated radiation damage, the detectors were stepwise-annealed at temperatures of T<or=110 degrees C while kept in their specially designed cryostats. The authors show that n-type HPGe detectors can be used in charged-particle environments as high-energy resolution devices until a certain level of radiation damage is accumulated and that the damage can be removed at moderate annealing temperatures and the detector returned to operating condition.