Using single-crystal diamond detectors as a scattering medium in Compton telescopes

Abstract

Observing cosmic sources in the medium-energy gamma-ray regime (~0.4 – 10 MeV) requires an efficient instrument with good angular resolution and background rejection. Artificial single-crystal diamond detectors (SCDDs) have comparable energy ranges, energy resolution, and threshold levels as traditional silicon solid-state detectors (SSDs), but with faster rise times (~1 ns), improved radiation hardness, and are generally insensitive to light and temperature. Here we present work preliminary to the pairing of artificial single-crystal diamond detectors (SCDDs) with CeBr3 calorimeters to produce a prototype Compton telescope.