Detection resolving power of SiC Timepix3 detector to electrons, neutrons, ions and protons

Abstract

Silicon Carbide is a suitable semiconductor sensor for radiation measurement and nuclear applications. It has been recently implemented as a position-sensitive and radiation imaging device coupled to the Timepix3 ASIC chip in the form of a miniaturized radiation camera MiniPIX-Timepix3 SiC. In this work we systematically evaluate the detection resolving power to different radiation species: electrons, fast neutrons, ions and protons. Experimental calibrations were made at well-defined reference fields in terms of particle type, energy and direction. The spectral-sensitive tracking response and characteristic morphology of the particle tracks are analyzed by pattern recognition algorithms. The low thickness of the radiation sensitive volume (65 μm) of the SiC sensor limits the directional tracking response and angular resolution. Three broad classes of particle-type events are resolved. The detector together with suitable data processing can be used for radiation dosimetry and particle tracking tasks in space, particle therapy, nuclear physics and nuclear reactors and particle accelerator environments.