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94 records · Page 6

Development of doped-germanium photoconductors for astronomical observations at wavelengths from 30 to 120 micrometers

Technology was developed for production of doped-germanium detectors which have optimized performance in the 30- to 120-micrometer wavelength range and are capable of achieving the objectives of the Infrared Astronomy Satellite space mission. The work of this phase was divided into the following major tasks: (1) growth of Ge:Ga crystals from high-purity starting material with Ga concentrations different from that previously produced, and development of a zone leveling method to produce a uniform Ga doping concentration; (2) growth of uncompensated Ge:Be crystals from high-purity starting material with a range of Be concentrations between 10 to the 14th power and 10 to the 16th power atoms/cubic cm; (3) evaluation of crystals by means of Hall effect and resistance measurements as a function of temperature; (4) fabrication and test of detectors made from both Ge:Be and Ge:Ga crystals to determine the relative performance between different crystals. Correlation of detector test data with material evaluation data and analysis of how to further optimize detector performance.

Bratt, P. R.↗

Bulk submillimeter-wave mixers: Strain and superlattices

Strained germanium crystals, doped with gallium, were used as heterodyne mixers at THz frequencies, with infrared bandwidths approaching a GHz. The mixer performance (conversion loss and mixer noise) was analyzed in terms of nonlinearities associated with acceptor levels and with relaxation rates of free holes. Comparison was made with similar mixers employing low lying donor levels in high purity GaAs and with hot electron InSb mixers.

Litvak, M. M.↗

Measurement of Ionization Produced by 254 eVnr Nuclear Recoils in Germanium

Ionization produced by low-energy nuclear recoils is among the primary direct signatures of dark matter interactions. Despite the urgency of dark matter detection and the recent measurements of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, detector response to nuclear recoils is not well characterized in the keVnr and sub-keVnr regime across a variety of materials. We have re-performed a measurement of the ionization produced by monoenergetic 254 eVnr nuclear recoils in Ge with improved digital electronics and additional systematic studies. Our results indicate an ionization yield of 64 +/- 8 eVee corresponding to a quenching factor of 25 +/- 3%, greater than the 14% predicted by the Lindhard model. This ionization enhancement could greatly improve the sensitivity of high-purity Ge detectors in dark matter detection and measurement of neutrinos via coherent scattering.

Kavner, Alexander R.↗

Quantitative Computer Tomography for Determining Composition of Microgravity and Ground Based Solid Solutions

Advances in x-ray Computer Tomography (CT) have been led by the medical profession, and by evaluation of industrial products, particularly castings. Porosity can readily be determined as a function of the density of a material, and CT is thus an industrially important NDE tool. Providing high purity, 100% dense standards of pure elements and compounds can be fabricated, the composition of solid solution alloys can be determined by measuring the CT number, which is a function of the absorption of the sample. Average densities across slices 1 mm thick can generally be determined to better than 1 percent. With present technology this spatial sensitivity is less than ideal, but important benefits can nevertheless be obtained by using CT, particularly single crystals, prior to making any destructive assault upon the sample. The sample can in fact be examined prior to removal from the mold within which it has been grown and, in the cases of microgravity flight samples, before removal from the cartridge assembly. This greatly assists the researcher in the characterization of the products, particularly as a guide to cutting and sampling. Examples of work with germanium-silicon alloys and mercury cadmium telluride taken with a radioactive cobalt source will be demonstrated.

Gillies, D. C.↗