Aluminum and Silicon Metal-Semiconductor-Metal (MSM) X-Ray Photo-Detector
[Thesis]
Barbosa Medina, Cinthya D.
Haji-Sheikh, Michael J.
Northern Illinois University
2019
111
M.S.
Northern Illinois University
2019
The main goal of this research was to construct a metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) device, that could detect x-rays. The following thesis covers the theory behind MSM devices, as well as the theory of detecting x-rays. More importantly, we showed that aluminum was transparent to x-rays, therefore allowing our MSM device to detect only x-rays. Both p-type and n-type MSM wafers resulted in the predicted Schottky curve. By analyzing our various configurations, we hypothesis the ideal dimensions for this device configuration. We also showed that the effect caused by the interaction with regular light. Apart from what was accomplished in this paper we also propose work that could advance this research, which could be done by future students at NIU. As a result, another goal of ours was to create research opportunities for future students interested in the semiconductor industry.