1) How to clean a detector properly to prevent damage?
Click here for the cleaning instruction
2) What is the delivery time for a PIPS detector?
We stock most standard PIPS detectors, so we can deliver within 1-2 weeks. For specific detectors, please contact our Sales Department.
3) What is the minimum thickness of the standard PIPS detectors?
The minimum thickness is 200µm, but we have a limited stock of 100 and 150µm for some detector areas.
4) Is it possible to purchase a PIPS detector >1000 µm thickness?
No, but our product gamma of SiLi detectors has thicknesses from 1mm to 10mm thicknesses. There is also a possibility to combine two PIPS detectors of 700 or 1000µm.
5) What is the relation between energy absorption and detector thickness?
See this Application Note: "Select the best charged particle detector for your application"
6) What are the different window thicknesses available?
| Window Type |
Dead Layer |
|
| A-PD-FD-series |
<50nm |
Additional: “EPI” detectors have an epitaxial grown high resistivity silicon layer of 10-40µm on a low resistivity silicon substrate. Only the thin EPI layer will be sensitive to the X-rays |
| A-PD-FD-series (Light Tight) |
<250nm |
| CAM |
<1500nm |
| CAM LT |
<1000nm |
| TM (Timing) |
<100nm |
| TW (Thin Window) |
<35nm |
| TCAM |
<1000nm |
7) What are the different dimensions of active area and standard housings ?
Click here for a chart with all of the dimensions
8) What is the typical operation voltage for a PIPS detector?
Thickness 300µm: 40-60V; 500µm: 90-150V; 1000µ: 250-400 V
9) Are there PIPS detectors available with integrated pre-amplifiers?
We can supply PIPS detectors with integrated PA or PAA from 450mm² to 1700mm². The reference model is CAMXXXPAA (XXX is the active area surface in mm²)
10) Is it possible to connect 2 detectors to 1 amplifier?
Yes, it is possible, but this will increase to the noise
11) Can I use longer cable lengths than the standard length of 10cm?
Longer lengths are possible but the capacitance of the detector will increase. A Longer cable length can also cause pick-up and/or ringing effects.
12) What is the maximum count rate in spectroscopy mode?
It depends on the electronics used. For the 2003BT the max. count rate is 2E6 MeV/sec (1 µA) for electrons and protons. For higher counts saturation will occur and another amplifier is needed, or you need to measure in current mode.
13) Can PIPS operate in extreme temperatures?
The operating temperature for a standard PIPS is -30°C/+50°C, storage temperature is -100°C/+100°C. For higher or lower temperatures we have BK and CY Options available with storage temperatures of -200°C/+200°C.
14) Can PIPS be used in UHV ?
A vacuum of 10E-6 mbar is guaranteed for standard assemblies. For 1 specific application it was already used at 10E-10. For detectors mounted on a carrier a ceramic board is preferred.
15) Can PIPS be used in an acid environment?
Yes, we can assemble an acid resistant rubber for CAM PIPS or use TCAM-PIPS
16) Can PIPS be used as a photo diode or Cherenkov radiation?
Yes, PIPS are perfect photo diodes and could perfectly be used as photodiode for Cherenkov radiation.
17) What can I do when the noise is too high?
Ensure there is no light, use short cables (<10cm), ensure the pre-amplifier is properly grounded
18) Is there any information concerning radiation damage?
Typical values of radiation damage are listed in the table below:
Effects of radiation damage in silicon detectors
Threshold doses (particles/cm²) |
| Fission fragments |
Alpha particles |
Protons |
Fast neutrons |
Electrons |
| 108 |
109 |
1010 |
1012 |
1013 |
The symptoms of radiation damage are: higher leakage current/noise followed by peak broadening and, sometimes, double peaking. In order to prolong the usable "life" of a detector in a radiation field causing damage, the detector must be kept cold (any cooling below room temperature helps; ideally the detector should be cooled to –60°C).
