Ion induced impact ionization detector and uses thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies relating to an ion induced impact ionization detector and uses thereof. In certain implementations, the detector can include a dielectric layer having one or more wells. An anode layer defining apertures to accommodate the openings of the wells can be disposed on one side of the dielectric layer, and a cathode such as a solid resistive cathode can be disposed on the other side so as to provide an electric field in each of the wells. Various design parameters such as well dimensions and operating parameters such as pressure and high voltage are disclosed. In certain implementations, such an ion detector can be coupled to a low pressure gas volume to detect ionization products such as positive ions. Such a system can be configured to provide single ion counting capability. Various example applications where the ion detector can be implemented are also disclosed.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A device configured to detect ions induced by particle radiation in a low-pressure gas, the device comprising:
 an enclosure forming a gas volume;   an ion detector disposed within the enclosure, the ion detector comprising:
 a first electrode defining a plurality of apertures; 
 a second electrode; 
 a dielectric layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode; 
 a plurality of wells extending through the dielectric layer, the plurality of wells arranged in a two-dimensional grid to form a plurality of rows of wells and a plurality of columns of wells, individual wells of the plurality of wells substantially aligned with individual apertures of the plurality of apertures to provide a path between the individual aperture and the corresponding individual well; 
 a first plurality of readout strips, individual readout strips of the first plurality of readout strips aligned along individual rows of the plurality of wells, the first plurality of readout strips defining a plurality of apertures such that individual apertures are substantially aligned with corresponding individual wells of the plurality of wells; and 
 a second plurality of readout strips, individual readout strips of the second plurality of readout strips aligned along individual columns of the plurality of wells, the second plurality of readout strips defining a plurality of apertures such that individual apertures are substantially aligned with corresponding individual wells of the plurality of wells, 
   wherein application of a sufficient voltage difference between the first electrode and to the second electrode induces charge multiplication within individual wells of the plurality of wells,   wherein the plurality of wells are in communication with the gas volume such that a pressure of gas within the plurality of wells is substantially equal to a pressure of gas within the gas volume.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of greater than or equal to approximately 1 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of greater than or equal to approximately 2 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of less than or equal to approximately 50 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of between approximately 2 mm and 5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first electrode comprises one or more layers of conductive material. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the second electrode comprises a resistive cathode layer. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a distance that is substantially the same as the thickness of the dielectric layer. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of wells has a cylindrical shape with a diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of wells are arranged so as to define a pitch distance between walls of two neighboring wells, the pitch distance configured so that a ratio between the pitch distance and the diameter is in a range of about 1 to 5. 
     
     
         12 . An ion detector to detect ions induced by particle radiation in a low-pressure gas, the device comprising:
 a first electrode defining a plurality of apertures;   a second electrode;   a dielectric layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode;   a plurality of wells extending through the dielectric layer, individual wells of the plurality of wells substantially aligned with individual apertures of the plurality of apertures to provide a path between the individual aperture and the corresponding individual well;   a first plurality of readout strips, individual readout strips of the first plurality of readout strips aligned to be substantially parallel with one another in a first direction, the first plurality of readout strips defining a plurality of apertures such that individual apertures are substantially aligned with corresponding individual wells of the plurality of wells; and   a second plurality of readout strips, individual readout strips of the second plurality of readout strips aligned to be substantially parallel with one another in a second direction different from the first direction, the second plurality of readout strips defining a plurality of apertures such that individual apertures are substantially aligned with corresponding individual wells of the plurality of wells,   wherein charge multiplication within individual wells of the plurality of wells is induced through application of a voltage difference between the first electrode and to the second electrode,   wherein the plurality of wells are in communication with the low-pressure gas such that a pressure of the low-pressure gas within the plurality of wells is substantially equal to a pressure of the low-pressure gas outside of the plurality of wells.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of greater than or equal to approximately 1 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of greater than or equal to approximately 2 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of less than or equal to approximately 50 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of between approximately 2 mm and 5 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first electrode comprises one or more layers of conductive material. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second electrode comprises a resistive cathode layer. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a distance that is substantially the same as the thickness of the dielectric layer. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of wells has a cylindrical shape with a diameter. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of wells are arranged so as to define a pitch distance between walls of two neighboring wells, the pitch distance configured so that a ratio between the pitch distance and the diameter is in a range of about 1 to 5.