Development of a silicon strip detector array for nuclear structure physics

The Edinburgh nuclear physics group has been exploiting some of the unique features of silicon strip detectors (SSDs) in a variety of nuclear structure experiments using high energy photons and heavy-ion projectiles. Current experimental applications make use of large area (≈ 4-25 cm ), totally depleted SSDs with depletion thicknesses in the range ≈ 150-1000 μm and strip pitches of 2000 μm. In addition, two new device configurations are currently undergoing evaluation tests for future applications. These configurations are: (i) double-sided silicon strip detectors (i.e. "quasi-pixel" devices) and, (ii) position sensitive silicon strip detectors. Silicon strip detectors are potentially a powerful tool for nuclear structure physics applications where charged particle detection is required. It is possible to construct charged particle detection systems with good energy and position resolution, large solid angle and high data throughput. To date however, it has not been possible to fully exploit the potential of SSDs because of the high cost and limited availability of appropriate instrumentation. To overcome this problem we are developing low cost hybrid microelectronic instrumentation in collaboration with the SERC Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory.