Ultra-thin nanocrystalline diamond detectors

In this work, we present the results of investigations into the possibility of using the radio frequency chemical vapor deposition (RF CVD)-manufactured nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) layers as a material for detectors of ionizing radiation. The 0.2-μm-thick NCD layers were deposited on n- and p-type silicon substrates. The obtained Si-NCD-metal detector structures have been characterized electrically (I-V and C-V characteristics) and spectrally (spectral response to highly energetic 252Cf fission fragments). The measured results have been compared with some theoretical predictions.