Publication
Fabrication of new generation particle detectors
2021
Student project
Student project
Abstract
This project presents a microfabrication method for new generation particle detectors. This microsystem is supposed to detect ionizing radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. This project aims to miniaturized the otherwise well known Geiger counter instrument used for detecting and measuring ionization radiation. This report will identify each step of the fabrication, from the silicon wafer to the finalised microsystem, while explaining the potential problems inside the cleanroom and what needs to be avoided in order to get a desired final product. The whole microfabrication process was carried out inside the CMi at EPFL throughout the semester.
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Related concepts (32)
Gaseous ionization detector
Gaseous ionization detectors are radiation detection instruments used in particle physics to detect the presence of ionizing particles, and in radiation protection applications to measure ionizing radiation. They use the ionising effect of radiation upon a gas-filled sensor. If a particle has enough energy to ionize a gas atom or molecule, the resulting electrons and ions cause a current flow which can be measured. Gaseous ionisation detectors form an important group of instruments used for radiation detection and measurement.
Alpha particle
Alpha particles, also called alpha rays or alpha radiation, consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium-4 nucleus. They are generally produced in the process of alpha decay, but may also be produced in other ways. Alpha particles are named after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α. The symbol for the alpha particle is α or α2+. Because they are identical to helium nuclei, they are also sometimes written as He2+ or 42He2+ indicating a helium ion with a +2 charge (missing its two electrons).
Ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation (or ionising radiation), including nuclear radiation, consists of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves that have sufficient energy to ionize atoms or molecules by detaching electrons from them. Some particles can travel up to 99% of the speed of light, and the electromagnetic waves are on the high-energy portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Gamma rays, X-rays, and the higher energy ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum are ionizing radiation, whereas the lower energy ultraviolet, visible light, nearly all types of laser light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves are non-ionizing radiation.
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