Silicon P-N Junction Radiation Detectors for the Telstar® Satellite
- 1 June 1964
- journal article
- Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
- Vol. 11 (3), 294-301
- https://doi.org/10.1109/tns.1964.4323438
Abstract
This paper describes the development and testing of the silicon p-n junction nuclear particle detectors which have been ued in the radiation experiments of the TELSTAR® communication satellite, and the Relay and Explorer XV satellites. The sensitive element of the detector is a diffused mesa diode of 10,000 to 20,000 ohm-cm p-type silicon. It is encapsulated in a transistor-type can with a thin (0.3 mil) Kovar window. In spite of the encapsulation, surface reliability was a major development problem. An extensive reliability testing program revealed several types of surface instability. Nevertheless, a high degree of reliability was achieved in most of the detectors, including those which were used on satellites.Keywords
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