Progress in the study of CdZnTe strip detectors

We report new performance measurements and computer simulations of a sub-millimeter pitch CdZnTe strip detector under study as a prototype imaging spectrometer for astronomical x-ray and gamma-ray observations. The prototype is 1.5 mm thick with 375 micron strip pitch in both the x and y dimensions. Previously reported work included demonstrations of half-pitch spatial resolution (approximately 190 microns) and good energy resolution and spectral uniformity. Strip detector efficiency measurements have also been presented. A model that includes the photon interaction, carrier transport and the electronics was developed that qualitatively reproduced the measurements. The new studies include measurements of the CdZnTe transport properties for this prototype in an effort to resolve quantitative discrepancies between the measurements and the simulations. Measurements of charge signals produced by laser pulses and (alpha) -rays are used to determine these transport properties. These are then used in the model to predict gamma-ray efficiencies that are compared with the data. The imaging performance of the detector is studied by scanned laser and gamma beam spot measurements. The results support the model\u27s prediction of nearly linear sharing of the charge for interactions occurring in the region between electrodes. The potential for strip detectors with spatial resolution much finer than the strip pitch is demonstrated. A new design scheme for strip detectors is shortly discussed

How a supported metal is influenced by an ionic liquid: In-depth characterization of SCILL-type palladium catalysts and their hydrogen adsorption

A novel approach to tremendously influence the gas adsorption behavior of heterogeneous metal catalysts consists of adding a small quantity of an ionic liquid during the catalyst synthesis yielding a supported catalyst with an ionic liquid layer (SCILL). Herein, SCILL-type catalysts derived from silica-supported palladium were characterized by means of ICP-OES, TPR, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES/EXAFS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), hydrogen pulse chemisorption, and differential scanning hydrogen adsorption calorimetry. EXAFS analysis of SCILL-type palladium catalysts did not indicate significant changes in the bulk properties of Pd compared to untreated Pd/SiO₂, the results are in good agreement with metallic Pd. XPS analysis revealed a more oxidized Pd surface if Pd/SiO₂ was treated with ionic liquids. In the case of [BMIM][N(CN)₂], Pd(II) species were present in part indicating a complexation of palladium by [N(CN)₂]⁻. Hydrogen uptakes determined by pulse chemisorption varied between 38 and 609 μmol gPd⁻¹ depending on the chosen IL, IL content, and temperature and were decreased in comparison to Pd/SiO₂ without IL. The initial heats of hydrogen adsorption were also affected in the presence of ionic liquids and were lowered compared to those of the untreated Pd/SiO₂. Mechanisms showing how the ionic liquids interact with the active palladium site are proposed and might be in summary interpreted as a ligand effect by the ionic liquid similar to the influence of second metals in bimetallic catalysts

Mitigation of Single-Event Effects in SiGe-HBT Current-Mode Logic Circuits

It has been known that negative feedback loops (internal and external) in a SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT) DC current mirrors improve single-event transient (SET) response; both the peak transient current and the settling time significantly decrease. In the present work, we demonstrate how radiation hardening by design (RHBD) techniques utilized in DC bias blocks only (current mirrors) can also improve the SET response in AC signal paths of switching circuits (e.g., current-mode logic, CML) without any additional hardening in those AC signal paths. Four CML circuits both with and without RHBD current mirrors were fabricated in 130 nm SiGe HBT technology. Two existing RHBD techniques were employed separately in the current mirrors of the CML circuits: (1) applying internal negative feedback and (2) adding a large capacitor in a sensitive node. In addition, these methods are also combined to analyze the overall SET performance. The single-event transients of the fabricated circuits were captured under the two-photon-absorption laser-induced single-event environment. The measurement data clearly show significant improvements in SET response in the AC signal paths of the CML circuits by using the two radiation hardening techniques applied only in DC current mirrors. The peak output transient current is notably reduced, and the settling time upon a laser strike is shortened significantly