Characterization of the charge‐carrier transport properties of IIa‐Tech SC diamond for radiation detection applications

Single crystal (SC) diamond has since years demonstrated its interest for the fabrication of radiation detectors, especially where the material properties are providing superior interests with respect to the detection application. Among the industrial suppliers able to provide on a commercial basis high-grade single crystal diamond, IIa-Tech has recently appeared in the market as a new player. The aim of this paper is to assess the quality of one SC sample when characterized under α-particles for the measurement of its carrier transport properties. We observed that full charge collection could be observed at biases as low as 0.11 V/μm with no space charge build-up (conventionally typical bias values used are closer to 1 V/μm). Velocity reached values of 38 μm/ns and 53 μm/ns for electrons and holes, respectively (values probed at 0.33 V/μm). Similarly, the α detection spectrum displays a sharp line demonstrating the good uniformity of the material over its surface. By combining the measurements with more conventional optical observations such as birefringence and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, it comes that the material demonstrates its ability to be used as a detector, with properties that can compare with the highest grade materials today available on the market.