Metal-Halide Perovskite Submicrometer-Thick Films for Ultra-Stable Self-Powered Direct X-Ray Detectors

Metal-halide perovskites are revolutionizing the world of X-ray detectors,due to the development of sensitive,fast,and cost-effective devices.Self-powered operation,ensuring portability and low power consumption,has also been recently demonstrated in both bulk materials and thin films.However,the signal stability and repeatability under continuous X-ray exposure has only been tested up to a few hours,often reporting degradation of the detection performance.Here it is shown that self-powered direct X-ray detectors,fabricated starting from a FAPbBr_(3)submicrometer-thick film deposition onto a mesoporous TiO_(2)scaffold,can withstand a 26-day uninterrupted X-ray exposure with negligible signal loss,demonstrating ultra-high operational stability and excellent repeatability.No structural modification is observed after irradiation with a total ionizing dose of almost 200 Gy,revealing an unexpectedly high radiation hardness for a metal-halide perovskite thin film.In addition,trap-assisted photoconductive gain enabled the device to achieve a record bulk sensitivity of 7.28 C Gy^(−1)cm^(−3)at 0 V,an unprecedented value in the field of thin-film-based photoconductors and photodiodes for“hard”X-rays.Finally,prototypal validation under the X-ray beam produced by a medical linear accelerator for cancer treatment is also introduced.

Direct Conversion X-Ray Detectors with High Sensitivity at Low Dose Rate Based on All-Inorganic Lead-Free Perovskite Wafers

Just as lead-based perovskites that are hot in solar cell preparation, Bi-based perovskites have demonstrated excellent performance in direct X-ray detection, especially the Cs3Bi2I9 single crystals (SCs). However, compared with lead-halide perovskites, one challenge for the Cs3Bi2I9 SCs for X-ray detection application is that it is difficult to prepare large-sized and high-quality SCs. Therefore, how to get a large area with a high-quality wafer is also as important as Cs3Bi2I9 growth method research. Here, different anti-solvents are used for the preparation of poly-crystalline powder with the Antisolvents precipitation (A) method, as a control, High-energy ball milling (B) was also used to prepare poly-crystalline powders. The resultant two types of Cs3Bi2I9 wafer exhibit a micro-strain of 1.21 × 10-3, a resistivity of 5.13 × 108 Ω cm and a microstrain of 1.21 × 10-3, a resistivity of 2.21 × 109 Ω cm. As a result, an X-ray detector based on the high-quality Cs3Bi2I9 wafer exhibits excellent dose rate linearity, a sensitivity of 588 μC·Gyairs-1·cm-2 and a limit of detection (LoD) of 76 nGyair·s-1.

Low-noise and low-power pixel sensor chip for gas pixel detectors

Topmetal-M2 is a large-area pixel sensor chip fabricated using the GSMC 130 nm CMOS process in 2021.The pixel array of Topmetal-M2 consists of pixels of 400 rows×512 columns with a pixel pitch of 45μm×45μm.The array is divided into 16 subarrays,with pixels of 400 rows×32 columns per subarray.Each pixel incorporates two charge sensors:a diode sensor and a Topmetal sensor.The in-pixel circuit primarily consists of a charge-sensitive amplifier for energy measurements,a discriminator with a peak-holding circuit,and a time-to-amplitude converter for time-of-arrival measurements.The pixel of Topmetal-M2 has a charge input range of~0-3 k e-,a voltage output range of~0-180 mV,and a charge-voltage conversion gain of~59.56μV∕e-.The average equivalent noise charge of Topmetal-M2,which includes the readout electronic system noise,is~43.45 e-.In the scanning mode,the time resolution of Topmetal-M2 is 1 LSB=1.25μs,and the precision is^()7.41μs.At an operating voltage of 1.5 V,Topmetal-M2 has a power consumption of~49 mW∕cm~2.In this article,we provide a comprehensive overview of the chip architecture,pixel working principles,and functional behavior of Topmetal-M2.Furthermore,we present the results of preliminary tests conducted on Topmetal-M2,namely,alpha-particle and soft X-ray tests.

Gas microchannel plate-pixel detector for X-ray polarimetry

POLAR-2 is a gamma-ray burst(GRB)polarimeter that is designed to study the polarization in GRB radiation emissions,aiming to improve our knowledge of related mechanisms.POLAR-2 is expected to utilize an on-board polarimeter that is sensitive to soft X-rays(2-10 keV),called low-energy polarization detector.We have developed a new soft X-ray polari-zation detector prototype based on gas microchannel plates(GMCPs)and pixel chips(Topmetal).The GMCPs have bulk resistance,which prevents charging-up effects and ensures gain stability during operation.The detector is composed of low outgassing materials and is gas-sealed using a laser welding technique,ensuring long-term stability.A modulation factor of 41.28%±0.64% is obtained for a 4.5 keV polarized X-ray beam.A residual modulation of 1.96%±0.58% at 5.9 keV is observed for the entire sensitive area.

Flexibility potential of Cs_(2)BX_(6)(B=Hf,Sn,Pt,Zr,Ti;X=I,Br,Cl)with application in photovoltaic devices and radiation detectors

As interest in double perovskites is growing,especially in applications like photovoltaic devices,understanding their mechanical properties is vital for device durability.Despite extensive exploration of structure and optical properties,research on mechanical aspects is limited.This article builds a vacancyordered double perovskite model,employing first-principles calculations to analyze mechanical,bonding,electronic,and optical properties.Results show Cs_(2)Hfl_(6),Cs_(2)SnBr_(6),Cs_(2)SnI_(6),and Cs_(2)PtBr_(6)have Young's moduli below 13 GPa,indicating flexibility.Geometric parameters explain flexibility variations with the changes of B and X site composition.Bonding characteristic exploration reveals the influence of B and X site electronegativity on mechanical strength.Cs_(2)SnBr_(6)and Cs_(2)PtBr_(6)are suitable for solar cells,while Cs_(2)HfI_(6)and Cs_(2)TiCl_(6)show potential for semi-transparent solar cells.Optical property calculations highlight the high light absorption coefficients of up to 3.5×10^(5) cm^(-1)for Cs_(2)HfI_(6)and Cs_(2)TiCl_(6).Solar cell simulation shows Cs_(2)PtBr_(6)achieves 22.4%of conversion effciency.Cs_(2)ZrCl_(6)holds promise for ionizing radiation detection with its 3.68 eV bandgap and high absorption coefficient.Vacancy-ordered double perovskites offer superior flexibility,providing valuable insights for designing stable and flexible devices.This understanding enhances the development of functional devices based on these perovskites,especially for applications requiring high stability and flexibility.

Self-powered UVC detectors based on α-Ga_(2)O_(3) with enchanted speed performance

Detectors were developed for detecting irradiation in the short-wavelength ultraviolet(UVC)interval using high-quality single-crystallineα-Ga_(2)O_(3) films with Pt interdigital contacts.The films ofα-Ga_(2)O_(3) were grown on planar sapphire substrates with c-plane orientation using halide vapor phase epitaxy.The spectral dependencies of the photo to dark current ratio,responsivity,external quantum efficiency and detectivity of the structures were investigated in the wavelength interval of 200−370 nm.The maximum of photo to dark current ratio,responsivity,external quantum efficiency,and detectivity of the structures were 1.16×10^(4) arb.un.,30.6 A/W,1.65×10^(4)%,and 6.95×10^(15) Hz^(0.5)·cm/W at a wavelength of 230 nm and an applied voltage of 1 V.The high values of photoelectric properties were due to the internal enhancement of the photoresponse associated with strong hole trapping.Theα-Ga_(2)O_(3) film-based UVC detectors can function in self-powered operation mode due to the built-in electric field at the Pt/α-Ga_(2)O_(3) interfaces.At a wavelength of 254 nm and zero applied voltage,the structures exhibit a responsivity of 0.13 mA/W and an external quantum efficiency of 6.2×10−2%.The UVC detectors based on theα-Ga_(2)O_(3) films demonstrate high-speed performance with a rise time of 18 ms in self-powered mode.

Effect of multiple coulomb scattering on the beam tests of silicon pixel detectors

In the research and development of new silicon pixel detectors,a collimated monoenergetic charged-particle test beam equipped with a high-resolution pixel-beam telescope is crucial for prototype verification and performance evaluation.When the beam energy is low,the effect of multiple Coulomb scattering on the measured resolution of the Device Under Test(DUT)must be considered to accurately evaluate the performance of the pixel chips and detectors.This study aimed to investigate the effect of multiple Coulomb scattering on the measured resolution,particularly at low beam energies.Simulations were conducted using Allpix^(2) to study the effects of multiple Coulomb scattering under different beam energies,material budgets,and telescope layouts.The simulations also provided the minimum energy at which the effect of multiple Coulomb scattering could be ignored.Compared with the results of a five-layer detector system tested with an electron beam at DESY,the simulation results were consistent with the beam test results,confirming the reliability of the simulations.

Countermeasure against blinding attack for single-photon detectors in quantum key distribution

Quantum key distribution(QKD),rooted in quantum mechanics,offers information-theoretic security.However,practi-cal systems open security threats due to imperfections,notably bright-light blinding attacks targeting single-photon detectors.Here,we propose a concise,robust defense strategy for protecting single-photon detectors in QKD systems against blinding attacks.Our strategy uses a dual approach:detecting the bias current of the avalanche photodiode(APD)to defend against con-tinuous-wave blinding attacks,and monitoring the avalanche amplitude to protect against pulsed blinding attacks.By integrat-ing these two branches,the proposed solution effectively identifies and mitigates a wide range of bright light injection attempts,significantly enhancing the resilience of QKD systems against various bright-light blinding attacks.This method forti-fies the safeguards of quantum communications and offers a crucial contribution to the field of quantum information security.

Orientation and mobility control of 4HCB organic film for flexible X-ray detectors with high performance

In comparison to inorganic counterparts,organic semiconducting(OSC)crystalline films are promising for building large-area and flexible ionizing radiation detectors for X-ray imaging or dosimetry due to their tissue equivalence,simple processing and large-scale production accessibility.Fabrication processes,how-ever,hinder the ability to generate aligned and large-area films with high carrier mobility.In this work,the space-confined melt process is used to produce highly orientated 4HCB(4-hydroxycyanobenzene)OSC films with a large area of 15×18 mm^(2).The out-of-plane direction of the 4HCB film is<001>,and the benzene rings are found to be extensively overlapped inside the in-plane direction,according to the XRD patterns.The film exhibits a high resistivity up to 1012cm,and high hole mobility of 10.62 cm^(2)V^(−1)s^(−1).Furthermore,the 4HCB(80μm-thick film)based X-ray detectors can achieve a sensitivity of 93μC Gy air^(−1) cm^(−2)and on/offratio of 157.The device also shows steady flexibility,with no degradation in detecting function after 100 cycles of bending.Finally,the proposed 4HCB film detectors demonstrated a high-resolution X-ray imaging capability.The imaging of several materials with sharp edges(copper and polytetrafluoroethylene)has been obtained.This work has developed a fast but efficient approach for producing large-area,highly oriented OSC films for high-performance X-ray detectors.

Recent advances on two-dimensional metal halide perovskite x-ray detectors

In recent years,two-dimensional metal halide perovskites(MHPs)have attracted increased attention for radiation detection and imaging.Their detection efficiencies are almost comparable to three-dimensional(3D)perovskites.Meanwhile,they demonstrate superior stability to 3D perovskites.The pursuit of high-quality,phase-pure and lead-free two-dimensional MHP materials and large-area fabrication capability for x-ray detectors are among the research hotspots.In this review,we first give a brief introduction of the crystallographic structure,optoelectronic characteristics and preparation methods of high-quality two-dimensional perovskites.In addition,we overview the general working principles of direct and indirect x-ray detection processes and the corresponding performance metrics from the perspective of detection and imaging.Furthermore,we provide a comprehensive discussion on the recent advances in 2D perovskite x-ray detectors and imaging devices.Finally,we pinpoint several major obstacles of 2D x-ray detectors that should be overcome in the near future.

High-speed performance self-powered short wave ultraviolet radiation detectors based onκ(ε)-Ga_(2)O_(3)

High-speed solar-blind short wavelength ultraviolet radiation detectors based onκ(ε)-Ga_(2)O_(3)layers with Pt contacts were demonstrated and their properties were studied in detail.Theκ(ε)-Ga_(2)O_(3)layers were deposited by the halide vapor phase epitaxy on patterned GaN templates with sapphire substrates.The spectral dependencies of the photoelectric properties of struc-tures were analyzed in the wavelength interval 200-370 nm.The maximum photo to dark current ratio,responsivity,detectiv-ity and external quantum efficiency of structures were determined as:180.86 arb.un.,3.57 A/W,1.78×10^(12) Hz^(0.5)∙cm·W^(-1) and 2193.6%,respectively,at a wavelength of 200 nm and an applied voltage of 1 V.The enhancement of the photoresponse was caused by the decrease in the Schottky barrier at the Pt/κ(ε)-Ga_(2)O_(3)interface under ultraviolet exposure.The detectors demon-strated could functionalize in self-powered mode due to built-in electric field at the Pt/κ(ε)-Ga_(2)O_(3)interface.The responsivity and external quantum efficiency of the structures at a wavelength of 254 nm and zero applied voltage were 0.9 mA/W and 0.46%,respectively.The rise and decay times in self-powered mode did not exceed 100 ms.

基于InVEST&GEO-detectors模型的会仙湿地生境质量变化及影响因素研究

喀斯特湿地是广泛分布在喀斯特地区的一种特殊的湿地类型,其生态地位举足轻重,探索喀斯特湿地生境质量变化的影响因素对喀斯特地区生态建设具有重要的意义。本文基于会仙湿地保护区2000和2020年的土地利用数据,通过InVEST模型评估会仙湿地保护区的生境质量,利用地理探测器探测影响会仙湿地保护区生境质量变化的自然和人为因素。研究结果表明:1)研究区2000至2020年建设用地明显扩张,草地和水体显著减少;2)会仙湿地保护区生境质量总体呈现下降的趋势,生境退化度有所上升,生境质量较差的区域主要集中在研究区的北部、中部和东北部;3)地理探测器识别出会仙湿地保护区生境质量空间变化受自然和人为因子的综合作用,主导影响因子是GDP(q为0.135),其次为夜间灯光指数(DMSP)(q为0.053);交互作用探测结果表明,各因子对生境质量影响呈现出双因子增强效果。研究结果有助于揭示会仙湿地保护区生境质量的时空演变过程,可针对会仙湿地生态建设的问题提出可行的应对策略。

Design of the solar X-ray detector for the Macao Science Satellite-1B

The solar X-ray detector(SXD)onboard the Macao Science Satellite-1B was designed to monitor solar flare bursts and to study the solar activity in the 25th solar cycle.The SXD includes two parts:a soft X-ray detection unit and a hard X-ray detection unit.Both the soft X-ray detection unit and the hard X-ray detection unit include two collimators,two X-ray detectors(a silicon drift detector and a cadmium-zinc-telluride detector),and a processing circuit.Compared with similar instruments,the energy range of the SXD is wider(1–600 ke V)and the energy resolution is better(150 e V at 5.9 ke V,12%at 59.5 ke V,and 3%at 662 keV).

Electronics system for the cosmic X-ray polarization detector

This study presents an electronics system for cosmic X-ray polarization detection(CXPD).The CXPD was designed as a high-sensitivity soft X-ray polarimeter with a measurement energy range of 2-10 keV carried by a CubeSat.A stable and functionally complete electronics system under power and space constraints is a key challenge.The complete CXPD electronics system(CXPDES)comprises hardware and firmware.CXPDES adopts a three-layer electronic board structure based on functionality and available space.Two gas pixel detectors(GPDs)were placed on the top layer board,and CXPDES provided the GPDs with voltages up to-4000 V.Each GPD signal was digitized,compressed,encoded,and stored before being transmitted to the ground.The CXPDES provided stable and high-speed communication based on a scheme that separated command and data transmission,and it supports the CXPDES in-orbit upgrade.In addition,environmental monitors,silicon photomultiplier(SiPM)triggers,power management,GPDs configuration,and mode switches were included in the overall operating logic of the CXPDES.The results obtained by testing the CXPDES showed that it satisfied all the requirements of CXPD.The CXPDES provides design experience and technological readiness for future large-area X-ray polarimetry missions.

A characterization study on perovskite X-ray detector performance based on a digital radiography system

X-ray imaging technologies such as digital radiography(DR),is an important aspect of modern non-destructive testing and medical diagnosis.Innovative flexible X-ray detector technologies have recently been proposed and are now receiving increasing attention owing to their superior material flexibility compared with traditional flat-panel detectors.This work aims to study these innovative flexible X-ray detectors in terms of their effectiveness in DR imaging,such as detection efficiency and spatial resolution.To achieve this goal,first,a Monte Carlo model was developed and calibrated to an in-lab 150 kV DR imaging system containing a flat-panel X-ray detector.Second,the validated model was updated with various types of flexible X-ray detectors to assess their performance in nearly realistic conditions.Key parameters such as the detection efficiency pertaining to the crystal material and thickness were studied and analyzed across a broader energy range up to 662 keV.Finally,the imaging performance of the different detectors was evaluated and compared to that of the flat-panel detector in the 150 kV DR imaging system.The results show that the flexible detectors such as the CsPbBr3crystal detector deliver promising performance in X-ray imaging and can be applied to a wider range of application scenarios,especially those requiring accurate detection at challenging angles.

X-ray在鱼体组织及微量元素检测中的应用

鱼类硬质组织物,特别是骨骼支持鱼体和保护其体内器官的组织,对其进行特征检测分析是研究鱼类游泳运动、鱼类解剖、鱼体建模等的数据基础。随着X-ray技术的发展和国产设备的广泛应用,其仪器设备成本明显降低,使得X-ray在渔业研究与自动化生产中的应用成为可能。首先介绍了X-ray技术的基本原理与其在鱼体组织检测中的应用,X-ray技术在鱼体组织及微量元素检测中的应用主要分为鱼类组织器官的无损检测和鱼体微量元素检测两部分,其中分别介绍了包括照相法、数字成像法、衍射技术和吸收光谱法等X-ray技术;然后综述其在鱼体组织器官建模、鱼骨检测、鱼类化石研究、鱼耳石分析和鱼体微量元素检测方面的应用,总结了Xray在渔业领域应用中存在的问题;最后对X-ray的渔业应用方向进行展望。

The Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)on the SMILE Mission

The Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)is part of the scientific payload of the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)mission.SMILE is a joint science mission between the European Space Agency(ESA)and the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)and is due for launch in 2025.SXI is a compact X-ray telescope with a wide field-of-view(FOV)capable of encompassing large portions of Earth’s magnetosphere from the vantage point of the SMILE orbit.SXI is sensitive to the soft X-rays produced by the Solar Wind Charge eXchange(SWCX)process produced when heavy ions of solar wind origin interact with neutral particles in Earth’s exosphere.SWCX provides a mechanism for boundary detection within the magnetosphere,such as the position of Earth’s magnetopause,because the solar wind heavy ions have a very low density in regions of closed magnetic field lines.The sensitivity of the SXI is such that it can potentially track movements of the magnetopause on timescales of a few minutes and the orbit of SMILE will enable such movements to be tracked for segments lasting many hours.SXI is led by the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom(UK)with collaborating organisations on hardware,software and science support within the UK,Europe,China and the United States.

PTW Detector7293种剂量验证方法在调强放射治疗中的对比研究

目的 :对比PTW Detector729 3种验证方法在调强放射治疗(intensity modulated radiation therapy,IMRT)剂量验证中的差异。方法:回顾性选取2022年1—12月于某院完成放射治疗的鼻咽癌、肺癌、乳腺癌、宫颈癌和全脑放射治疗患者共50例,使用PTW Detector729二维电离室矩阵配合PTW RW3固体水与PTW Ocavius 4D旋转模体对50例患者的IMRT计划分别进行归零机架角2D剂量验证、实际机架角2D剂量验证和实际机架角3D剂量验证。将剂量评估阈值设为10%,统计3种验证方法在3%/1 mm、2%/2 mm、3%/2 mm和3%/3 mm 4种评估标准下的γ通过率。采用SPSS 22.0统计学软件进行数据分析。结果:在10%剂量评估阈值标准下,归零机架角2D剂量验证的γ通过率最高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实际机架角2D剂量验证的γ通过率高于实际机架角3D剂量验证,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。3种验证方法的γ通过率在3%/1 mm、2%/2 mm、3%/2 mm和3%/3 mm 4种标准下逐渐升高,且在3%/2 mm标准下均超过90%,结果满足临床放射治疗要求。结论:3种验证方法的验证结果均能达到IMRT剂量验证实践指南要求,根据IMRT开展情况选择合适的验证方法,对确保治疗方案安全、有效实施具有重要意义。

Global hybrid simulations of soft X-ray emissions in the Earth’s magnetosheath

Earth’s magnetopause is a thin boundary separating the shocked solar wind plasma from the magnetospheric plasmas,and it is also the boundary of the solar wind energy transport to the magnetosphere.Soft X-ray imaging allows investigation of the large-scale magnetopause by providing a two-dimensional(2-D)global view from a satellite.By performing 3-D global hybrid-particle-in-cell(hybrid-PIC)simulations,we obtain soft X-ray images of Earth’s magnetopause under different solar wind conditions,such as different plasma densities and directions of the southward interplanetary magnetic field.In all cases,magnetic reconnection occurs at low latitude magnetopause.The soft X-ray images observed by a hypothetical satellite are shown,with all of the following identified:the boundary of the magnetopause,the cusps,and the magnetosheath.Local X-ray emissivity in the magnetosheath is characterized by large amplitude fluctuations(up to 160%);however,the maximum line-of-sight-integrated X-ray intensity matches the tangent directions of the magnetopause well,indicating that these fluctuations have limited impact on identifying the magnetopause boundary in the X-ray images.Moreover,the magnetopause boundary can be identified using multiple viewing geometries.We also find that solar wind conditions have little effect on the magnetopause identification.The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)mission will provide X-ray images of the magnetopause for the first time,and our global hybrid-PIC simulation results can help better understand the 2-D X-ray images of the magnetopause from a 3-D perspective,with particle kinetic effects considered.

Finding the magnetopause location using soft X-ray observations and a statistical inverse method

Variability in the location and shape of the dayside magnetopause is attributed to magnetic reconnection,a fundamental process that enables the transfer of mass,energy,and momentum from the solar wind into the magnetosphere.The spatial and temporal properties of the magnetopause,under varying solar and magnetospheric conditions,remain largely unknown because empirical studies using in-situ observations are challenging to interpret.Global wide field-of-view(FOV)imaging is the only means to simultaneously observe the spatial distribution of the plasma properties over the vast dayside magnetospheric region and,subsequently,quantify the energy transport from the interplanetary medium into the terrestrial magnetosphere.Two upcoming missions,ESA/CAS SMILE and NASA’s LEXI will provide wide-field imagery of the dayside magnetosheath in soft X-rays,an emission generated by charge exchange interactions between high charge-state heavy ions of solar wind origin and exospheric neutral atoms.High-cadence two-dimensional observations of the magnetosheath will allow the estimation of dynamic properties of its inner boundary,the magnetopause,and enable studies of its response to changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure and interplanetary magnetic field orientation.This work introduces a statistically-based estimation approach based on inverse theory to estimate the spatial distribution of magnetosheath soft X-ray emissivities and,with this,identify the location of the magnetopause over the Sun−Earth line.To do so,we simulate the magnetosheath structure using the MHD-based OpenGGCM model and generate synthetic soft X-ray images using LEXI’s orbit and attitude information.Our results show that 3-D estimations using the described statistically-based technique are robust against Poisson-distributed shot noise inherent to soft X-ray images.Also,our proposed methodology shows that the accuracy of both three-dimensional(3-D)estimation and the magnetopause standoff distance calculation highly depends on the observational point.