A solid-state amorphous selenium avalanche technology for low photon flux imaging applications

作者：Wronski M M^*; Zhao W; Reznik A; Tanioka K; DeCrescenzo G; Rowlands J A

来源：Medical Physics, 2010, 37(9): 4982-4985.

DOI：10.1118/1.3483096

• avalanche photoreceptor
• amorphous selenium
• digital imaging
• semiconductor detectors

Purpose: The feasibility of a practical solid-state technology for low photon flux imaging applications was investigated. The technology is based on an amorphous selenium photoreceptor with a voltage-controlled avalanche multiplication gain. If this photoreceptor can provide sufficient internal gain, it will be useful for an extensive range of diagnostic imaging systems.
Methods: The avalanche photoreceptor under investigation is referred to as HARP-DRL. This is a novel concept in which a high-gain avalanche rushing photoconductor (HARP) is integrated with a distributed resistance layer (DRL) and sandwiched between two electrodes. The avalanche gain and leakage current characteristics of this photoreceptor were measured.
Results: HARP-DRL has been found to sustain very high electric field strengths without electrical breakdown. It has shown avalanche multiplication gains as high as 10(4) and a very low leakage current (<= 0 pA/mm(2)).
Conclusions: This is the first experimental demonstration of a solid-state amorphous photoreceptor which provides sufficient internal avalanche gain for photon counting and photon starved imaging applications.

• 出版日期2010-9