Alpha-Particle Monitoring Systems Based on a BJT Detector on High-Resistivity Silicon

A battery-powered, wireless alpha-ray sensor has been designed and realized using a high-resistivity-silicon BJT as radiation detector. Thanks to its excellent signal-to-noise ratio and intrinsic amplification, real-time alpha particle detection is possible using simple readout electronics which records alpha particle arrival time and charge spectrum

BJT detector with FPGA-based read-out for alpha particle monitoring

In this work we introduce a new prototype of readout electronics (ALPHADET), which was designed for an alfa-particle detection system based on a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) detector. The system uses an FPGA, which provides many advantages at the stage of prototyping and testing the detector. The main design and electrical features of the board are discussed in this paper, along with selected results from the characterization of ALPHADET coupled to BJT detectors

BJT detector with FPGA-based read-out for alpha particle monitoring

In this work we introduce a new prototype of readout electronics (ALPHADET), which was designed for an a-particle detection system based on a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) detector. The system uses an FPGA, which provides many advantages at the stage of prototyping and testing the detector. The main design and electrical features of the board are discussed in this paper, along with selected results from the characterization of ALPHADET coupled to BJT detectors

Laser and alpha particle characterization of floating-base BJT detector

In this work, we investigate the detection properties of existing prototypes of BJT detectors operated with floating base. We report about results of two functional tests. The charge-collection properties of BJT detectors were evaluated by means of a pulsed laser setup. The response to alpha-particles emitted from radioactive (241)Am source are also presented. Experimental results show that current gains of about 450 with response times in the order of 50 mu s are preserved even in this non-standard operation mode, in spite of a non-optimized structure. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

BJT detector for α-particle and Radon detection and monitoring

In this work we report on the first results of functional characterization of a new batch of BJT detectors fabricated at FBK-irst (Trento, Italy). The results confirmed that BJT detectors can be efficiently used for α-particle detection and consequently for radon detection. Moreover, analysis of the performance of detectors under different temperatures has shown that the detector can be efficiently used in a rather wide range of temperatures (0C - 30C) confirming that the detector can be used both in indoor and outdoor applications

Laser and alpha particle characterization of floating-base BJT detector

In this work, we investigate the detection properties of existing prototypes of BJT detectors operated with floating base. We report about results of two functional tests. The charge-collection properties of BJT detectors were evaluated by means of a pulsed laser setup. The response to α-particles emitted from radioactive 241-Am source are also presented. Experimental results show that current gains of about 450 with response times in the order of 50 μs are preserved even in this non-standard operation mode, in spite of a non-optimized structure