Electron Spectroscopy with Silicon Surface Barrier Detectors at Liquid Helium Temperatures

摘要

In connection with the development of apparatus for the study of beta-radiations with energies of up to 500 keV from nuclei oriented at dilution refrigerator temperatures, four commercial silicon surface barrier detectors were tested for resolution as a function of temperature and applied bias. Resolutions of 8 keV (FWHM) at liquid helium temperatues were obtained at only 20 V bias. Problems with reliability and breakup of the aluminum back surface, as well as subsequent repair, are discussed, and comparisons are made to other work using cooled semiconductor detectors for beta-spectroscopy. (Author)