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Title: Electron gas grid semiconductor radiation detectors

Abstract

An electron gas grid semiconductor radiation detector (EGGSRAD) useful for gamma-ray and x-ray spectrometers and imaging systems is described. The radiation detector employs doping of the semiconductor and variation of the semiconductor detector material to form a two-dimensional electron gas, and to allow transistor action within the detector. This radiation detector provides superior energy resolution and radiation detection sensitivity over the conventional semiconductor radiation detector and the "electron-only" semiconductor radiation detectors which utilize a grid electrode near the anode. In a first embodiment, the EGGSRAD incorporates delta-doped layers adjacent the anode which produce an internal free electron grid well to which an external grid electrode can be attached. In a second embodiment, a quantum well is formed between two of the delta-doped layers, and the quantum well forms the internal free electron gas grid to which an external grid electrode can be attached. Two other embodiments which are similar to the first and second embodiment involve a graded bandgap formed by changing the composition of the semiconductor material near the first and last of the delta-doped layers to increase or decrease the conduction band energy adjacent to the delta-doped layers.

Inventors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Livermore, CA
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
874228
Patent Number(s):
US 6344650
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Livermore, CA)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
electron; gas; grid; semiconductor; radiation; detectors; detector; eggsrad; useful; gamma-ray; x-ray; spectrometers; imaging; systems; described; employs; doping; variation; material; form; two-dimensional; allow; transistor; action; provides; superior; energy; resolution; detection; sensitivity; conventional; electron-only; utilize; electrode; near; anode; embodiment; incorporates; delta-doped; layers; adjacent; produce; internal; free; external; attached; quantum; formed; forms; embodiments; similar; involve; graded; bandgap; changing; composition; increase; decrease; conduction; band; semiconductor material; radiation detector; free electron; radiation detection; x-ray spectrometer; imaging systems; /250/257/

Citation Formats

Lee, Edwin Y, and James, Ralph B. Electron gas grid semiconductor radiation detectors. United States: N. p., 2002. Web.
Lee, Edwin Y, & James, Ralph B. Electron gas grid semiconductor radiation detectors. United States.
Lee, Edwin Y, and James, Ralph B. 2002. "Electron gas grid semiconductor radiation detectors". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/874228.
@article{osti_874228,
title = {Electron gas grid semiconductor radiation detectors},
author = {Lee, Edwin Y and James, Ralph B},
abstractNote = {An electron gas grid semiconductor radiation detector (EGGSRAD) useful for gamma-ray and x-ray spectrometers and imaging systems is described. The radiation detector employs doping of the semiconductor and variation of the semiconductor detector material to form a two-dimensional electron gas, and to allow transistor action within the detector. This radiation detector provides superior energy resolution and radiation detection sensitivity over the conventional semiconductor radiation detector and the "electron-only" semiconductor radiation detectors which utilize a grid electrode near the anode. In a first embodiment, the EGGSRAD incorporates delta-doped layers adjacent the anode which produce an internal free electron grid well to which an external grid electrode can be attached. In a second embodiment, a quantum well is formed between two of the delta-doped layers, and the quantum well forms the internal free electron gas grid to which an external grid electrode can be attached. Two other embodiments which are similar to the first and second embodiment involve a graded bandgap formed by changing the composition of the semiconductor material near the first and last of the delta-doped layers to increase or decrease the conduction band energy adjacent to the delta-doped layers.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/874228}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002}
}