First tests with a natural diamond detector (NDD) – a possibly powerful tool for AMS

Abstract

A detector with sufficient energy resolution at high count rates could alleviate a difficult problem in AMS measurements – the detection of rare particles in the vicinity of a large background. The exceptional properties of diamond lead one to expect that these detectors can outperform silicon detectors and ionization chambers for many applications. Only natural diamond detectors (NDDs) that are single crystals, allow energy spectrometry.We have explored a detector produced from a natural type-II diamond of highest purity mined from deposits in Yakutsk, Russian Federation. To late, we have characterized the energy resolution, linearity, stability and radiation degradation using beams of 13C, 180Hf and 238U in the energy range from 12 to 38 MeV. The influence of “priming” and “polarization” is discussed.Deterioration of the detector resolution was observed after irradiation with several 108 ions/mm2 of 238U at 18 MeV. The small detector size, unexpected high energy losses in the entrance window, and the low electrical strength of the assembly were identified as the main limitations in this first test. However, the results demonstrate its intriguing potential for AMS of heavy isotopes.