Heavy-ion beams are used extensively in nuclear physics research advancing a deeper understanding of atomic nuclei and nuclear reactions, as well as in production of rare isotope finding a wide acceptance in nuclear medicine. Currently, most charged-particle detectors used in nuclear physics and space exploration are made of ?E-E radiation telescopes. However, most common solid state silicon radiation detectors used in such telescopes have a low radiation tolerance, especially in low energy heavy-ion beams. The short lifetime of silicon detectors, resulting in their frequent replacement, creates even more serious instrumentation problems for the new FRIB/MSU facility which provides up to 400 kW beam power and ion energy = 200 MeV/nu. Another challenging problem is the identification of low energy heavy-ions having very short ranges in the detector material requiring the implementation of ultra-thin radiation ?E- detectors in ?E-E telescopes. The impact of this project is dependent on the unique properties of diamond which make it superior to silicon or silicon carbide detectors. Diamond has excellent radiation tolerance, is able to dissipate significant heat load, and its electronic properties are stable over a wide temperature range. Its high electron and hole mobility and low electric capacitance provides very fast signal response, down to sub-nanosecond range. Recent progress in synthetic diamond CVD growth significantly improved its electronic quality and reduced the cost thus making diamond devices increasingly commercially attractive. Applied Diamond Inc. proposes to make and characterize a solid-state diamond radiation detector system (DRDS) from several diamond telescopes for identification of a spectrum of ions from light to heavy (from sub-MeV/nu to ~500 MeV/nu). Specifically, it will include an ultra-thin diamond ?E-detector for the low energy spectrum. For that purpose, ultra-thin single crystal diamond material with a sub-micron thickness and satisfactory uniformity will be developed. The system of diamond telescopes will be attached to one or more actuators allowing the fast scanning of ion fields around the beam. This DRDS will have a fast time response, high radiation stability and ability to operate at elevated temperatures without cooling. The proposed diamond telescope has the potential for a significant impact on the measurements of heavy-ion beams and this technology will advance the use of radiation hard diamond devices in nuclear medicine and space exploration. Development of a diamond telescope will address the current needs of DOE supported nuclear research at TAMU and MSU and could be useful for other DOE accelerator facilities, as well. Calibration and benchmarking of this diamond telescope system will be carried out in collaboration with the Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute.
