Diamond film technology boosts performance of UV photodetectors

Citation

(1999), "Diamond film technology boosts performance of UV photodetectors", Sensor Review, Vol. 19 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1999.08719caf.005

Diamond film technology boosts performance of UV photodetectors

Diamond film technology boosts performance of UV photodetectors

Keywords Sensors, UV

A new sensor range, based on diamond film technology, has been introduced by Centronic (see Plate 4). Operating in the deep ultraviolet region, the Diamond UV Photodetectors offer the advantages of high sensitivity, solar blindness, longevity and low dark currents.

Plate 4 The Diamond UV Photodetectors from Centronic exploit the properties of polycrystalline diamond to achieve significant enhancements in performance.

Polycrystalline diamond has a major advantage over natural diamond for solid state devices in that its physical and chemical properties can be precisely controlled. However, a drawback is that it is no longer a single crystal material. Centronic has been able to develop innovative device designs and advanced fabrication technology to make high purity diamond films behave like single crystal material.

The insensitivity of the new devices to visible light means that screening or filters are often not required, resulting in cost savings and greater convenience of operation. This is true in photolithography, for example, where reductions in physical construction costs can be substantial.

A further advantage is that they can withstand high intensity illumination, leading to greater longevity and lower maintenance costs.

Other principal areas of application include laser systems using excimer lasers and the monitoring of high intensity UV lamps used for curing and in water purification. Further applications are seen in flame and combustion control.

The detectors are available in various formats, or can be designed to customer requirements.

The characteristics of Centronic"s diamond film devices are as follows:

Sensitivity range 100-220nm

Solar blindness < 10^-5 of 200nm response

Low voltage Bias 5-30V

Low dark currents < 1 nA

Good thermal stability up to 400°C

Centronic is Europe's leading custom-design house for electro-optic components. As well as diamond film devices, it produces a wide range of silicon photodetectors. Typical application areas include control and instrumentation systems, analytical instruments, x-ray baggage handling equipment, colour monitoring, scientific satellites, bar code scanning and print colour registration.

All the company's products are designed and manufactured at their state-of-the-art facilities in New Addington, near Croydon.