SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING DARK CURRENT DRIFT IN A PHOTODIODE BASED ELECTRON DETECTOR

摘要

A sensing element that may include (a) a PIN diode that may include an anode that is coupled to an anode contact; a cathode that is coupled to a cathode contact; a semiconductor portion that has a sensing region; and an insulator that is positioned between the cathode contact and the anode contact; and (b) a shielding element. The insulator, the cathode contact and the anode contact are positioned between the shielding element and the semiconductor portion. The shielding element is shaped and positioned to facilitate radiation to impinge onto the sensing region of the semiconductor portion while at least partially shielding the insulator from electrons that are emitted from the sensing region.