Temperature Dependence of α-Particle Detection Performance of GaN PIN Diode Detector

Abstract

Group-III nitride semiconductors, such as gallium nitride (GaN), have been proposed as novel materials for radiation detection owing to their wide bandgap and their ability to operate at high temperatures. In this study, the radiation detection properties of GaN PIN diode detectors were evaluated at high temperatures (~573 K). The energy spectrum peak profiles of 241 Am α-particles were obtained at different temperatures, confirming the operation of GaN PIN diodes up to 573 K. The peak positions shifted toward the lower-energy side and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the detection energy peak improved with increasing temperature. Furthermore, the variation in electron carrier mobility-lifetime product (μ e τ e ) between 293 and 573 K was not significant. These results indicate the potential high-temperature operation of group-III nitride semiconductors. Additionally, the variation in each detection characteristic was caused by increasing the atmospheric temperature, which affected the mobility, lattice scattering, bandgap, and built-in potential differently.