Neutron irradiation of CVD diamond samples for tracking detectors

Abstract Diamond may make an excellent substrate for a tracking device in the near future, especially at colliders like LHC, where extreme running conditions are expected (high rates and high radiation levels). We report on neutron irradiation of several CVD-diamond samples at the ISIS facility (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), which provides a fast neutron spectrum similar to that expected in a high luminosity collider experiment like CMS. We measured beam-induced currents and charge collection of diamonds exposed to fluences in excess of 10 15 n/cm 2 (peaking at 1 MeV), which should be the maximum value of the ten years total fluence at the design LHC luminosity. Physical hypotheses for the interactions of neutrons on CVD-diamond are proposed.