SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) requires the development of new types of particle detectors for detecting extremely high energy particles at high event rates under a harsh radiation environment and for long experimental periods, with stringent energy and space resolutions. The existing particle detectors have technical limitations regarding time response, radiation resistance, cost, energy resolution, safety, etc. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), a thin film semiconductor, is in many aspects promising and is capable of meeting most of the new stringent requirements, because (1) the unique processing methods will lead to low cost and very large device areas for large scale applications; (2) the inherent random structure of amorphous material should lead to better radiation resistance; and (3) the high concentration of hydrogen will lead to a good e/h value and therefore to better energy resolution. Based on the technical analysis and some initial research on a-Si particle detectors, this project is aimed at an intensive industrial level research and development effort on a-Si:H particle detectors. Through Phase I, the technical feasibilities, potentials, and limitations of using a-Si:H for particle detectors will be explored through prototype device design, fabrication, and performance testing. The basic performance parameters and optimization guidelines will be explored.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awarded: It is anticipated that initially 1 cm2 prototype amorphous silicon diode detectors will prove the technical feasibility of meeting SSC detector requirements of sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, time response, and radiation resistance. Successful completion of the program through Phases II and III will result in a new commercial particle detection device for very high energy experiments, such as experiments in the SSC and the Large Hadronic Collider. The a-Si:H devices, with the capability of detecting minimum ionizing particles, would be used in the micro track detector (pixel array) and/or the calorimeter. This device would also have very broad applications in medicine, military, space, and other fields.Topic 14: Technology for the Superconducting Super Collider

The proposed Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) requires the development of new types of particle detectors for detecting extremely high energy particles at high event rates under a harsh radiation environment and for long experimental periods, with stringent energy and space resolutions. The existing particle detectors have technical limitations regarding time response, radiation resistance, cost, energy resolution, safety, etc. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), a thin film semiconductor, is in many aspects promising and is capable of meeting most of the new stringent requirements, because (1) the unique processing methods will lead to low cost and very large device areas for large scale applications; (2) the inherent random structure of amorphous material should lead to better radiation resistance; and (3) the high concentration of hydrogen will lead to a good e/h value and therefore to better energy resolution. Based on the technical analysis and some initial research on a-Si particle detectors, this project is aimed at an intensive industrial level research and development effort on a-Si:H particle detectors. Through Phase I, the technical feasibilities, potentials, and limitations of using a-Si:H for particle detectors will be explored through prototype device design, fabrication, and performance testing. The basic performance parameters and optimization guidelines will be explored.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awarded: It is anticipated that initially 1 cm2 prototype amorphous silicon diode detectors will prove the technical feasibility of meeting SSC detector requirements of sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, time response, and radiation resistance. Successful completion of the program through Phases II and III will result in a new commercial particle detection device for very high energy experiments, such as experiments in the SSC and the Large Hadronic Collider. The a-Si:H devices, with the capability of detecting minimum ionizing particles, would be used in the micro track detector (pixel array) and/or the calorimeter. This device would also have very broad applications in medicine, military, space, and other fields.Topic 14: Technology for the Superconducting Super Collider