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Evaluation of SiC detector performances for energy and timing measurements

N. S. Martorana, G. D'Agata, A. Barbon, G. Cardella, E. De Filippo, E. Geraci, C. Guazzoni, L. Acosta, C. Altana, A. Castoldi, A. Composto, S. De Luca, P. Figuera, B. Gnoffo, F. La Via, C. Maiolino, E. V. Pagano, S. Pirrone, G. Politi, L. Quattrocchi, F. Risitano, F. Rizzo, P. Russotto, G. Sapienza, M. Trimarchi, S. Tudisco, C. Zagami

TL;DR

The paper demonstrates the feasibility of silicon carbide (SiC) detectors for high-precision energy and timing measurements in nuclear and medical contexts. By characterizing a 2×2 SiC detector and implementing a coincidence-based timing analysis with a Threshold Crossing-Time (TCT) algorithm, it achieves energy resolutions around 1% at 5 MeV and per-pixel timing near 200–240 ps in the 2–3 MeV range, with extrapolations suggesting substantial gains at higher energies. The results are cross-validated against a micro-channel plate (MCP) start detector, reinforcing the validity of the timing methodology. These findings support the deployment of SiC detector arrays in harsh environments and guide future electronics and higher-energy investigations for event-by-event ion characterization.

Abstract

The development of new detectors based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) is currently a topic of interest within the scientific community. The significant features of SiC make it highly promising for detecting charged particles, neutrons, and $γ$/X radiation. In this framework, within the SAMOTHRACE (Sicilian Micro and Nano Technology Research and Innovation Center) ecosystem, an array of new-generation SiC detectors is under development, specifically designed for nuclear and medical investigations using radioactive ion beams. This paper describes the results obtained in the characterization of SiC prototypes regarding energy and timing measurements. A new method, based on coincidence data analysis, is employed to evaluate the timing performances of SiC detectors. The obtained results have been compared with tests performed using a micro-channel plate as a start detector reference for timing measurements.

Evaluation of SiC detector performances for energy and timing measurements

TL;DR

The paper demonstrates the feasibility of silicon carbide (SiC) detectors for high-precision energy and timing measurements in nuclear and medical contexts. By characterizing a 2×2 SiC detector and implementing a coincidence-based timing analysis with a Threshold Crossing-Time (TCT) algorithm, it achieves energy resolutions around 1% at 5 MeV and per-pixel timing near 200–240 ps in the 2–3 MeV range, with extrapolations suggesting substantial gains at higher energies. The results are cross-validated against a micro-channel plate (MCP) start detector, reinforcing the validity of the timing methodology. These findings support the deployment of SiC detector arrays in harsh environments and guide future electronics and higher-energy investigations for event-by-event ion characterization.

Abstract

The development of new detectors based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) is currently a topic of interest within the scientific community. The significant features of SiC make it highly promising for detecting charged particles, neutrons, and /X radiation. In this framework, within the SAMOTHRACE (Sicilian Micro and Nano Technology Research and Innovation Center) ecosystem, an array of new-generation SiC detectors is under development, specifically designed for nuclear and medical investigations using radioactive ion beams. This paper describes the results obtained in the characterization of SiC prototypes regarding energy and timing measurements. A new method, based on coincidence data analysis, is employed to evaluate the timing performances of SiC detectors. The obtained results have been compared with tests performed using a micro-channel plate as a start detector reference for timing measurements.
Paper Structure (9 sections, 4 equations, 12 figures)

This paper contains 9 sections, 4 equations, 12 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Experimental setup and characterization using radioactive $\alpha$ sources
  3. Investigation of the edge effect
  4. Timing investigation: algorithms and sharing method data analysis
  5. Timing investigation using radioactive $\alpha$ sources
  6. Timing investigation with $\alpha$ and proton beams
  7. Timing performance using a Micro-channel Plate (MCP) detector
  8. Conclusions
  9. Acknowledgment

Figures (12)

  • Figure 1: (left) Picture of 2$\times$2 pixels SiC detector. (right) Picture of mixed $\alpha$-source placed in front of the SiC detector.
  • Figure 2: Red line: SiC waveform obtained using a mixed $\alpha$ source in vacuum. Black line: signal after the applied trapezoidal filter used to extract the maximum.
  • Figure 3: (a) Energy vs rise-time plot obtained using a mixed $\alpha$-source, for a SiC pixel. (b) Energy calibrated spectrum obtained with a cut in M$=$1 and in rise-time $\lesssim$ 7 ns.
  • Figure 4: Blue dots: Energy spectrum obtained with a Mesytec preamplifier, an ORTEC amplifier and a MCA analyzer for a 100 $\mu$m SiC pixel. Red dots: same energy spectrum for a 100 $\mu$m Si detector .
  • Figure 5: (a) Energy vs rise-time plot obtained using a $^{148}$Gd $\alpha$-source for a SiC pixel of 10 $\mu$m. (b) Energy spectrum obtained as a projection in the x axis of figure shown in the (a) panel with a cut in M$=$1 and in rise-time$\lesssim$14 ns.
  • ...and 7 more figures