X-ray and UV detection using synthetic single crystal diamond

Diamond is a semiconductor with a large band gap (5.48 eV), high carrier mobility (the highest for holes), high electrical resistance and low capacitance. Thanks to its outstanding properties, diamond-based detectors offer several advantages, among others: high signal-to-noise ratio, fast response, intrinsic pulse-shape discrimination capabilities for distinguishing different types of radiation, as well as operation in pulse and current modes. The mentioned properties meet most of the demanding requests that a radiation detection material must fulfil. Diamond detectors are suited for detecting almost all types of ionizing radiation including X-ray and UV photons, resulting also in blindness to visible photons and are used in a wide range of applications including ones requiring the capability to withstand harsh environments. After reviewing the fundamental physical properties of synthetic single crystal diamond (SCD) grown by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPECVD) technique and the basic principles of diamond-photon interactions and detection, the paper focuses on SCD detectors developed for X-ray and UV detection, discussing their configurations, construction techniques, advantages, and drawbacks. Applications ranging from X-ray detection around accelerators to UV detection for fusion plasmas are addressed, and future trends are highlighted too.