CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <title>BNL | Instrumentation | Germanium Sensors</title> <meta name="description" content="With a dedicated cleanroom for germanium wafer processing, the Instrumentation Department develops Ge detectors with reasonable depletion voltages and excellent charge collection efficiency."> <link rel='preconnect' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com'> <link rel='preconnect' href='https://fonts.gstatic.com' crossorigin> <link href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto:ital,wght@0,100;0,300;0,400;0,500;0,700;0,900;1,100;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,700;1,900&display=swap' rel='stylesheet'> <link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='all' href='/assets/global/packages/fontawesome-6/css/all.min.css' /> <link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='all' href='/assets/global/packages/fontawesome-5/css/all.min.css' /> <link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='all' href='/common/icons/latest/css/font-awesome.min.css' /> <link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='all' href='/common/jquery/jquery-ui/latest/jquery-ui.css' /> <link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='all' href='/assets/global/css/bnl-2021.css?v=2.26' /> <link rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' media='all' href='/assets/global/css/nav/color-1/2.css' /> <link rel='apple-touch-icon' sizes='180x180' href='/apple-touch-icon.png'> <link rel='icon' type='image/png' sizes='32x32' href='/favicon-32x32.png'> <link rel='icon' type='image/png' sizes='16x16' href='/favicon-16x16.png'> <link rel='manifest' href='/site.webmanifest'> <meta name='google-translate-customization' content='da871b882e58855f-cd5178aa4095a4ca-gc2ffe725f2da0f37-b' /> <meta name='viewport' content='width=device-width, initial-scale=1' /> <style type="text/css"> .themeBanner { background-image: url('../images/banners/banner-sensors.jpg'); } #footer { margin-top:0; } </style> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../css/site.css">    <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-67KBDFNCYG"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-67KBDFNCYG'); </script> </head> <body> <div class="content"> <noscript> <div id="NoJavaScript"> <div class="container_24"> <div class="grid_24"> Because you are not running JavaScript or allowing active scripting, some features on this page my not work.  >> <a target="_blank" href="https://enable-javascript.com/"> Enable Javascript</a> << </div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </noscript><div id="BNL-mobile-menu"> <p id="subnavMobileHead">Local Navigation</p> <ul id="subnavMobile"></ul> <p id="siteMenuMobileHead" class="mobileMenuHead">Site Navigation<span class="fa fa-angle-double-left fa-lg closeMobileMenuIcon"></span></p> <ul id="siteMenuMobile"></ul> <p id="globalLinksMobileHead" class="mobileMenuHead">General Lab Information</p> <ul id="globalLinksMobile"></ul> </div> <div id="header"> <div class="container_24"> <div class="grid_24"> <ul id="globalLinks" class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/science/">Our Science</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/about/">About</a> <li><a href="javascript:void(0);" class="gd-link" >Departments</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/partner/">Partner With Us</a> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://jobs.bnl.gov/">Careers</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/">News</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/contact-us/">Contact</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/directory/">Directory</a> <li><a href="javascript:void(0);" class="gd-link"><span class="fa fa-search"></span> Search</a> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="gd" id="gd-2"> <div class="container_24"> <div class="grid_4"> <ul class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/energysci/">Energy & Photon Sciences</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/cfn/">Center for Functional Nanomaterials</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/chemistry/">Chemistry</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/cmpmsd/">Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/isd/">Interdisciplinary Science</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/nsls2/">National Synchrotron Light Source II</a> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_4"> <ul class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/ebnn/">Environment, Biology, Nuclear Science & Nonproliferation</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/biology/">Biology</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/envsci/">Environmental and Climate Sciences</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/nst/">Nuclear Science and Technology</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/nns/">Nonproliferation and National Security</a> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_4"> <ul class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/compsci/">Computational Sciences</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/compsci/mathematics.php">Computer Science and Applied Mathematics</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/compsci/natsec.php">Computing for National Security</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/compsci/sdcc/">Scientific Data and Computing Center</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/compsci/c3d/">Computation and Data-Driven Discovery</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/compsci/computational-lab.php">Computational Science Lab</a> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_4"> <ul class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/npp/">Nuclear & Particle Physics</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/cad/">Collider-Accelerator</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/mirp/">Isotope Research & Production</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/physics/">Physics</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/riken/">RIKEN BNL Research Center</a> </ul> <ul class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/ec/">Electron-Ion Collider</a> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_4"> <a class="closeGD menuClose" href="javascript:void(0);" title="Close Department List"><span class="fa-stack fa-lg"> <i class="fa fa-square-o fa-stack-2x"></i> <i class="fa fa-close fa-stack-1x"></i> </span></a> <ul class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/advtech/">Discovery Technologies</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/advtech/ast/">Accelerator Science & Tech</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/">Instrumentation</a> <li><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="alert('Website coming soon.');">Microelectronics</a> <li><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="alert('Website coming soon.');">Quantum Information Science & Technology</a> </ul> <ul class="responsiveLinkList2"> <li> <a href="https://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/admin/support.php">Support Orgs</a> | <a href="https://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/admin/deptcodes.php">Dept. Codes</a> </ul> </div>  </div> </div><div class="gd" id="gd-8"> <div class="container_24"> <div class="grid_10 prefix_1 suffix_1"> <form class="homePageSearchForm webSearchForm" method="post" action="https://www.bnl.gov/search/"> <span class="fa fa-globe fa-3x"></span><div> <input class="BNLinput webSearchField" name="q1" type="text" value="" maxlength="256" autocomplete="off" placeholder="Web Search..."> <input type="hidden" name="DIRECTORY_RESTRICT" value=""> <input type="hidden" name="SUBCOLLECTION" value="default_collection"> </div> </form> </div> <div class="grid_10 prefix_1"> <form class="homePageSearchForm peopleSearchForm" method="post" action="https://www.bnl.gov/search/"> <span class="fa fa-user fa-3x"></span><div> <input class="BNLinput peopleSearchField" name="q1" type="text" value="" maxlength="256" autocomplete="off" placeholder="People Search..."> <input type="hidden" name="DIRECTORY_RESTRICT" value=""> <input type="hidden" name="SUBCOLLECTION" value="people"> </div> </form> </div> <div class="grid_1"> <a class="closeGD menuClose" href="javascript:void(0);" title="Hide Search Fields"><span class="fa-stack fa-lg"> <i class="fa fa-square-o fa-stack-2x"></i> <i class="fa fa-close fa-stack-1x"></i> </span></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clear"></div><div id="stripe"> <div class="container_24" id="banner"> <div class="grid_24" > <span id="hamburger" class="fa fa-bars"></span> <span id="mobileSearchTrigger" class="fa fa-search"></span> <a id="bnlLogoLink" title="BNL Homepage" href="https://www.bnl.gov"> <img class="BNLlogo black" title="BNL Homepage" src="/assets/global/images/bnl-logo-2021.svg" /> <img class="BNLlogo white-gray" title="BNL Homepage" src="/assets/global/images/bnl-logo-white-2021.svg" /> </a> <div id="siteTitleContainer">Instrumentation Department<span class="small"></span></div> <div id="bs-blurb">Creating customized solutions to instrumentation challenges—from detectors probing for fundamental particles created in the formation of the universe to quantum networks for the internet of the future. Part of Brookhaven National Lab's Advanced Technology Research Office.</div> <div id="doeLogoContainer"> <a id="doeLogoLink" title="DOE Office of Science" href="http://science.energy.gov/"> <img class="DOElogo black" title="DOE Office of Science" src="/assets/global/images/logo-doe-black-200px.png" /> <img class="DOElogo white" title="DOE Office of Science" src="/assets/global/images/logo-doe-white-500px.png" /> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container_24" id="siteMenuContainer"> <div class="grid_24"> <ul id="siteMenu"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/">Home</a> <li> <a href="#">Sensors</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sensors/">Overview</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sensors/silicon-sensors.php">Silicon</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sensors/germanium.php">Germanium</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sensors/diamond.php">Diamond</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sensors/semiconductor-detectors.php">Room-temp. Semiconductors</a><li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sensors/noble-liquid-gas.php">Noble Liquids and Gases</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sensors/liquid-scintillators.php">Liquid Scintillators</a></li> </ul> <li> <a href="#">Integrated Electronics</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/integrated/">Overview</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/integrated/asic.php">ASICs</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/integrated/signal-processing.php">Signal Processing</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/integrated/daq-control.php">DAQ and Control Systems</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/integrated/cad-pcb.php">Printed Circuit Boards</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/integrated/hd-interconnects.php">High-Density Interconnects</a> </ul> <li> <a href="#">System Development</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sysdev/">Overview</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sysdev/mechanical-engineering.php">Mechanical Engineering, Fabrication & Integration</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sysdev/electronics-assembly.php">Electrical Engineering & Systems Integration</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sysdev/quantum-systems.php">Quantum Systems</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sysdev/source-development.php">Electron Source Development</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/sysdev/laser-lab.php">Laser System Development</a> </ul> <li> <a href="#">Facilities & Infrastructure</a> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/facilities/">Overview</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/quantum/">Quantum Network Facility</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/facilities/cleanroom.php">Fabrication Cleanrooms</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/facilities/irradiation-facility.php">Irradiation Sources</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/facilities/nanofabrication-lab.php">Micro/Nanofabrication Lab</a> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/facilities/spectrum-mgmt.php">Spectrum Management Capabilities</a> </ul> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/instrumentation/publications.php">Publications</a> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="themeBanner"> <div class="themeBannerText"> <h1>Sensors</h1> </div> </div> <div class="container_24 lessTopPad">  <div class="grid_24"> <ul id="subnav"> <li><a href="index.php" ><i class="fa fa-lg fa-home"></i>Home</a> <li><a href="silicon-sensors.php" >Silicon</a> <li><a href="germanium.php" class='disabled'>Germanium</a> <li><a href="diamond.php" >Diamond</a> <li><a href="semiconductor-detectors.php" >Room-temp. Semiconductors</a>  <li><a href="noble-liquid-gas.php" >Noble Liquids and Gases</a> <li><a href="liquid-scintillators.php" >Liquid Scintillators</a> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_15 suffix_1" style="margin-bottom:2em;"> <h2>Germanium Detectors</h2> <p class="font-plus-2">With the highest energy resolution among compound semiconductors, germanium (Ge) is the material of choice for the detection of high-energy x-ray and gamma rays in photon science and other fields. With a dedicated cleanroom for Ge wafer processing, the Instrumentation Department develops Ge detectors with reasonable depletion voltages and excellent charge collection efficiency.  </p> <h3>Our Capabilities</h3> <ul> <li>Fabrication of patterned strip and pad array Ge detectors </li> <li>Design of Ge detector systems, including device simulations, with commercial software </li> <li>Integration of detectors in operational conditions </li> <li>Evaluation of wafers up to four inches in diameter in liquid nitrogen and small samples (2 cm 脳 1 cm) down to 10 K </li> <li>Assessment of full systems in cryogenic environments for high-power (up to 60 W) operational requirements </li> <li>Production of reliable ohmic contacts with lithium-doped Ge or silicon sensors </li> <li>Development of metal-based n-type contacts for thin-entrance-window applications </li> <li>Application of cleanroom equipment to process precious and nonconventional metals, which are required for under bump metallization for bonding</li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_8"> <div class="sidebar"> <h3>About the Instrumentation Department</h3> <p>Through in-house expertise in sensors, electronics, and complex systems and state-of-the-art fabrication, testing, and characterization facilities, Brookhaven National Laboratory's Instrumentation Department works with customers to provide customized solutions to instrumentation challenges. We lead innovation in several areas鈥攆rom detectors probing for fundamental particles created in the formation of the universe billions of years ago to quantum networks for the internet of the future. </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="caseStudies"> <div class="container_24"> <div class="grid_24"> <h2>Case Studies</h2> </div> <div class="grid_8"> <h3>X-ray Powder Diffraction</h3> <img alt="photo of a Ge strip detector" class="fwd" src="../images/sensors/ge-strip-detector-close.jpg" /> <p class="caption">A 384-element Ge detector wire bonded to 12 MARS application-specific integrated circuits.</p> <p>We developed 384-element Ge strip detectors (125 microns) for experiments at the X-ray Powder Diffraction beamline of Brookhaven鈥檚 National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II). The energy-resolving capability of these detectors enables the suppression of fluorescence and undesired scattering, which typically degrade diffraction patterns. Furthermore, the multi-amplifier readout system (MARS) chip used in the detector system can time tag incoming photons, making it possible to collect time-resolved diffraction measurements capturing phase transitions and other dynamic events in materials.</p> </div> <div class="grid_8"> <h3>Energy-dispersive X-ray Diffraction </h3> <img alt="photo of a 64-element Ge strip detector" class="fwd" src="../images/sensors/64-element-ge-strip-detector.jpg" /> <p class="caption">A 64-element Ge strip detector for EDX diffraction.</p> <p>Unlike conventional x-ray diffraction, which uses a monochromatic beam, energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) diffraction uses a white beam and relies on the spectroscopic capability of the detector system. For EDX experiments at Argonne鈥檚 Advanced Photon Source (APS), we developed a 64-element Ge strip detector. By raster scanning the beam, scientists can obtain tomographic slices of samples with this detector. </p> </div> <div class="grid_4">   </div>  </div> </div> </div> <div id="topOfPage"><span class="fa fa-chevron-circle-up fa-lg topOfPageTrigger"></span></div> <div class="footer" id="footer" > <div class="container_24"> <div class="grid_6"> <h3 id="BNL">Brookhaven National Laboratory</h3> <p>PO Box 5000<br/> Upton, NY 11973-5000<br/> (631) 344-8000</p> <p><a id="contactUs" class="extrasmall white button" href="https://www.bnl.gov/contact-us/">Contact us</a></p> <ul class="socialMediaIcons"> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BrookhavenLab" title="Follow Us on 𝕏"><i class="fa-brands fa-square-x-twitter fa-2x"></i></a> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/brookhavenlab" title="Follow Us on Facebook"><span class="fa fa-facebook-square fa-2x"></span></a> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/brookhavenlab/" title="Follow Us on Instagram"><span class="fa fa-instagram fa-2x"></span></a> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/brookhavenlab/" title="Follow Us on LinkedIn"><span class="fa fa-linkedin-square fa-2x"></span></a> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/BrookhavenLab" title="Follow Us on YouTube"><span class="fa fa-youtube-square fa-2x"></span></a> <li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/brookhavenlab/" title="Follow Us on Flickr"><span class="fa fa-flickr fa-2x"></span></a> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_3"> <ul class="linkList2"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/science/">Our Science</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/about/">About</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/about/history/">History</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/about/org/">Leadership</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/visiting/">Visiting the Lab</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/siteindex/">Site Index</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/directory/">Staff Directory</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_3"> <ul class="linkList2"> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://jobs.bnl.gov/">Careers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/science/facilities.php">Facilities</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/guv/">Guest Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/partner/">Partnerships</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/ppm/">For Vendors</a></li> <li><a id="deptLink" href="javascript:void(0);">Departments</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/visiting/events/">Public Events</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_4"> <ul class="linkList2 lastList"> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/diversity/">Diversity, Equity & Inclusion</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/techtransfer/">Technology Licensing</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/externalaffairs/">Stakeholder Relations</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/education/">Students & Educators</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/about/sustainability/">Sustainability</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bnl.gov/privacy/">Privacy and Security Notice</a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href="https://doe.responsibledisclosure.com/hc/en-us">Vulnerability Disclosure Program</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="grid_7 prefix_1"> <h3 id="BSA">Brookhaven Science Associates</h3> <p>Brookhaven Science Associates manages and operates Brookhaven National Laboratory on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. | <a href="https://www.bnl.gov/about/bsa.php">More</a></p> <img id="bsaFooterLogo" alt="BSA logos" src="/assets/global/images/logo-bsa-black-220px.png"> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> </div><script src='/common/jquery/jquery/latest/jquery.js'></script> <script src='/common/jquery/jquery-ui/latest/jquery-ui.min.js'></script> <script src='/common/jquery/cookie/latest/jquery.cookie.js'></script> <script src='/common/jquery/sidr/latest/jquery.sidr.min.js'></script> <script src='/common/jquery/finger/latest/dist/jquery.finger.min.js'></script> <script src='/assets/global/js/bnl.js?v=2.2'></script> </body> </html>