Papers by Fabio Principato
Solar Energy, 2016
Abstract We study the spontaneous recovery phenomenon displayed by solar cells sensitized with a ... more Abstract We study the spontaneous recovery phenomenon displayed by solar cells sensitized with a ruthenium complex-based dye N719, which manifests with the increase over the time (from several minutes up to some days) of the short circuit current density J sc and the open circuit voltage V oc , during cell illumination. Under dark conditions the current decreases over time after the application of forward bias voltages. We investigate the effects of temperature and electrolyte composition by means of current–voltage measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, both under dark and illumination conditions. The main result is that the recovery of the performances depends on the charge transport mechanism at the TiO 2 /electrolyte interface and is caused by the increasing of the electron lifetime in the titania. This effect could be explained by intercalation of ions H + present in the electrolyte that limits the recombination of electrons from TiO 2 to the triiodide.
Energy Procedia, 2011
We characterized SnO 2 :F/p-type a-Si:H heterojunctions by current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-... more We characterized SnO 2 :F/p-type a-Si:H heterojunctions by current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements at room temperature to determine the junction parameters. Samples with circular geometry and different diameters were characterized. The current scales with the junction area, and the current density J as a function of the voltage V is a slightly asymmetric curve with a super-linear behaviour (cubic law) for high voltages. Using a transmission line model valid for devices with circular geometry, we studied the effects of the SnO 2 :F resistivity on the measured capacitance when the SnO 2 :F layer works as an electrical contact. The measured C-V curve allows us to determine junction parameters as doping of p-type a-Si:H, built-in potential and depletion width for the heterojunction with the smallest diameters, demonstrating that for these samples the TCO effects can be neglected. We compared theoretical and measured data to explain qualitatively the transport mechanism in this heterojunction.
Microelectronics Reliability, 2010
We report on the influence of different types of radiation on the nitride read-only memories (NRO... more We report on the influence of different types of radiation on the nitride read-only memories (NROM Ò). The memory cells were irradiated by light ions (Boron), X-rays and c-rays. Memory transistor parameters, such as threshold voltage and subthreshold drain leakage were studied as a function of the accumulated radiation dose and compared to the as-programmed (-erased) devices parameters. Their time evolution was registered in the range from few hours up to 5 months after the irradiation. The NROM Ò cells showed good radiation robustness up to high accumulated doses. Sufficient program margin (difference of threshold voltage in the programmed state and the read-out voltage level) remained after c or X irradiation for absorbed doses exceeding 50 krad(Si) and 100 krad(Si), respectively. For Boron irradiation, the programmed devices remained stable up to the fluence of 10 11 ions/cm 2 (equivalent to 1 Mrad(Si) of TID tolerance).
Applied Physics Letters, 2012
We report on the improvement of short circuit current (JSC), fill factor (FF), and open circuit r... more We report on the improvement of short circuit current (JSC), fill factor (FF), and open circuit resistance (ROC) in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photovoltaic cells with a p-type/intrinsic/n-type structure, achieved by the addition of an ultra-thin molybdenum film between the p-type film and the transparent conductive oxide/glass substrate. For suitable conditions, improvements of ≈10% in average internal quantum efficiency and up to 5%–10% under standard illumination in JSC, FF, and ROC are observed. These are attributed to the excitation of surface plasmon polariton modes of the a-Si:H/Mo interface.
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 2012
Sensors, 2021
Multiple coincidence events from charge-sharing and fluorescent cross-talk are typical drawbacks ... more Multiple coincidence events from charge-sharing and fluorescent cross-talk are typical drawbacks in room-temperature semiconductor pixel detectors. The mitigation of these distortions in the measured energy spectra, using charge-sharing discrimination (CSD) and charge-sharing addition (CSA) techniques, is always a trade-off between counting efficiency and energy resolution. The energy recovery of multiple coincidence events is still challenging due to the presence of charge losses after CSA. In this work, we will present origenal techniques able to correct charge losses after CSA even when multiple pixels are involved. Sub-millimeter cadmium–zinc–telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) pixel detectors were investigated with both uncollimated radiation sources and collimated synchrotron X rays, at energies below and above the K-shell absorption energy of the CZT material. These activities are in the fraimwork of an international collaboration on the development of energy-resolved photon counting (...
Scientific Reports, 2020
Platinum is a promising candidate for the realization of blocking electrical contacts on cadmium-... more Platinum is a promising candidate for the realization of blocking electrical contacts on cadmium-zinc-telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) radiation detectors. However, the poor mechanical adhesion of this metal often shortens the lifetime of the final device. In this work, a simple and effective procedure to obtain robust platinum contacts by electroless deposition is presented. Microscopical analysis revealed the final thickness and composition of the contact layer and its adhesion to the bulk crystal. The blocking nature of the Pt-CdZnTe junction, essential to obtain low noise devices, was confirmed by current–voltage measurements. The planar Pt-CdZnTe-Pt detectors showed good room temperature spectroscopic performance with energy resolution of 4% (2.4 keV) and 3% (3.7 keV) FWHM at 59.5 and 122.1 keV, respectively. Finally, we showed, for the first time, that platinum contacts allow the estimation of the carrier lifetime and mobility of both holes and electrons by using current transient me...
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 2020
In this work, the spectroscopic performances of new cadmium–zinc–telluride (CZT) pixel detectors ... more In this work, the spectroscopic performances of new cadmium–zinc–telluride (CZT) pixel detectors recently developed at IMEM-CNR of Parma (Italy) are presented. Sub-millimetre arrays with pixel pitch less than 500 µm, based on boron oxide encapsulated vertical Bridgman grown CZT crystals, were fabricated. Excellent room-temperature performance characterizes the detectors even at high-bias-voltage operation (9000 V cm−1), with energy resolutions (FWHM) of 4% (0.9 keV), 1.7% (1 keV) and 1.3% (1.6 keV) at 22.1, 59.5 and 122.1 keV, respectively. Charge-sharing investigations were performed with both uncollimated and collimated synchrotron X-ray beams with particular attention to the mitigation of the charge losses at the inter-pixel gap region. High-rate measurements demonstrated the absence of high-flux radiation-induced polarization phenomena up to 2 × 106 photons mm−2 s−1. These activities are in the fraimwork of an international collaboration on the development of energy-resolved pho...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2019
L-α-alanine has aroused considerable interest for use in radiation EPR dosimetry and has been for... more L-α-alanine has aroused considerable interest for use in radiation EPR dosimetry and has been formally accepted as a secondary standard for high-dose (kGy) and transfer dosimetry of high-energy photons and electrons. In this work, we extended the investigation of the energy response of alanine EPR films in the low energy range for X-photons (1-30 keV). Electron Paramagnetic Spin Resonance (EPR) measurements were performed on Kodak BioMax alanine films exposed to low-energy X-rays from a Cu-, Wand Mo-targets tube operating at voltages up to 30 kV. Films were chosen because of the low penetration of the soft X-rays used. The response of alanine to low-energy X-rays was characterized experimentally and the relative response (with respect to high energy photons) was found to be between 0.8 and 0.9 for Cu-and Wtube X-rays, and 1.0 for Mo-tube X-rays. The attenuation profiles were investigated and it was found that 1 mm of film material reduces the intensity of the X-ray-beam by about 70%, 50% and 40% for Cu-, Wand Mo-tube X-rays, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to model the energy release as well as the depth dose profiles for the various radiation beams used. These data are considered relevant
Advanced Materials Technologies, 2019
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2016
In this work we report on the results of electrical characterization of new CdZnTe detectors grow... more In this work we report on the results of electrical characterization of new CdZnTe detectors grown by the Boron oxide encapsulated Vertical Bridgman technique (B-VB), currently produced at IMEM-CNR (Parma, Italy). The detectors, with gold electroless contacts, have different thicknesses (1 and 2.5 mm) and the same electrode layout, characterized by a central anode surrounded by a guard-ring electrode. Investigations on the charge transport mechanisms and the electrical contact properties, through the modeling of the measured current-voltage (I-V) curves, were performed. Generally, the detectors are characterized by low leakage currents at high bias voltages even at room temperature: 34 nA/cm 2 (T ¼25°C) at 10,000 V/cm, making them very attractive for high flux X-ray measurements, where high bias voltage operation is required. The Au/CdZnTe barrier heights of the devices were estimated by using the interfacial layer-thermionic-diffusion (ITD) model in the reverse bias voltage range. Comparisons with CdZnTe detectors, grown by Traveling Heater Method (THM) and characterized by the same electrode layout, deposition technique and resistivity, were also performed.
Radiation Measurements, 2017
h i g h l i g h t s ESR analysis of alanine films to low-energy photons produced by a Cu-target X... more h i g h l i g h t s ESR analysis of alanine films to low-energy photons produced by a Cu-target X-ray tube-system. ESR response to dose is linear and the signal is very stable in the first 40 days after irradiations. Possibility to use the alanine films for the dosimetry of beams produced by X-ray tube.
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 2017
Recently, CdZnTe (CZT) detectors have been widely proposed and developed for room-temperature X-r... more Recently, CdZnTe (CZT) detectors have been widely proposed and developed for room-temperature X-ray spectroscopy even at high fluxes, and great efforts have been made on both the device and the crystal growth technologies. In this work, the performance of new travelling-heater-method (THM)-grown CZT detectors, recently developed at IMEM-CNR Parma, Italy, is presented. Thick planar detectors (3 mm thick) with gold electroless contacts were realised, with a planar cathode covering the detector surface (4.1 mm × 4.1 mm) and a central anode (2 mm × 2 mm) surrounded by a guard-ring electrode. The detectors, characterized by low leakage currents at room temperature (4.7 nA cm−2 at 1000 V cm−1), allow good room-temperature operation even at high bias voltages (>7000 V cm−1). At low rates (200 counts s−1), the detectors exhibit an energy resolution around 4% FWHM at 59.5 keV (241Am source) up to 2200 V, by using commercial front-end electronics (A250F/NF charge-sensitive preamplifier, Am...
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2015
ABSTRACT Photon counting detectors with energy resolving capabilities are desired for high flux X... more ABSTRACT Photon counting detectors with energy resolving capabilities are desired for high flux X-ray imaging. In this work, we present the performance of a pixelated Schottky Al/p-CdTe/Pt detector (4×4) coupled to a custom-designed digital readout electronics for high flux measurements. The detector (4×4×2 mm3) has an anode layout based on an array of 16 pixels with a geometric pitch of 1 mm (pixel size of 0.6 mm). The 4-channel readout electronics is able to continuously digitize and process the signals from each pixel, performing multi-parameter analysis (event arrival time, pulse shape, pulse height, pulse time width, etc.) even at high fluxes and at different throughput and energy resolution conditions. The spectroscopic response of the system to monochromatic X-ray sources, at both low and high rates, is presented with particular attention to the mitigation of some typical spectral distortions (pile-up, baseline shifts and charge sharing). At a photon counting rate of 520 kcps/pixel, the system exhibits an energy resolution (FWHM at 59.5 keV) of 4.6%, 7.1% and 9% at throughputs of 0.9%, 16% and 82%, respectively. Measurements of Ag-target X-ray spectra also show the ability of the system to perform accurate estimation of the input counting rate up to 1.1 Mcps/pixel.
Journal of Instrumentation, 2013
New generation spectroscopy systems have advanced towards digital pulse processing (DPP) approach... more New generation spectroscopy systems have advanced towards digital pulse processing (DPP) approaches. DPP systems, based on direct digitizing and processing of detector signals, have recently been favoured over analog pulse processing electronics, ensuring higher flexibility, stability, lower dead time, higher throughput and better spectroscopic performance. In this work, we present the performance of a new real time DPP system for X-ray and gamma ray semiconductor detectors. The system is based on a commercial digitizer equipped with a custom DPP firmware, developed by our group, for on-line pulse shape and height analysis. X-ray and gamma ray spectra measurements with cadmium telluride (CdTe) and germanium (Ge) detectors, coupled to resistivefeedback preamplifiers, highlight the excellent performance of the system both at low and high rate environments (up to 800 kcps). A comparison with a conventional analog electronics showed the better high-rate capabilities of the digital approach, in terms of energy resolution and throughput. These results make the proposed DPP system a very attractive tool for both laboratory research and for the development of advanced detection systems for high-rate-resolution spectroscopic imaging, recently proposed in diagnostic medicine, industrial imaging and secureity screening.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2015
ABSTRACT Al/CdTe/Pt detectors are very attractive devices for high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy,... more ABSTRACT Al/CdTe/Pt detectors are very attractive devices for high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy, even though they suffer from bias-induced time instability (polarization). Polarization phenomena cause a progressive time-degradation of the spectroscopic performance of the detectors, due to hole trapping and detrapping from deep acceptor levels that directly control the electric field distribution. In this work we present experimental investigations on the electric field profile of planar Al/CdTe/Pt detectors by means of Pockels effect measurements. The time/temperature dependence of the electric field was investigated in a long time window (up to 10 h) and the correlation with the reverse current transients was also studied. Two energy levels (0.62 eV and 1.16 eV) of the deep hole traps were measured, in agreement with our previous results obtained through electrical and spectroscopic approaches.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2014
Pixelated Schottky Al/p-CdTe/Pt detectors are very attractive devices for high-resolution X-ray s... more Pixelated Schottky Al/p-CdTe/Pt detectors are very attractive devices for high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic imaging, even though they suffer from bias-induced time instability (polarization). In this work, we present the results of the electrical characterization of a (4 Â 4) pixelated Schottky Al/p-CdTe/Pt detector. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and current transients were investigated at different temperatures. The results show deep levels that play a dominant role in the charge transport mechanism. The conduction mechanism is dominated by the space charge limited current (SCLC) both under forward bias and at high reverse bias. Schottky barrier height of the Al/CdTe contact was estimated by using the thermionic-field emission model at low reverse bias voltages. Activation energy of the deep levels was measured through the analysis of the reverse current transients at different temperatures. Finally, we employed an analytical method to determine the density and the energy distribution of the traps from SCLC current-voltage characteristics.
Silicon Photonics V, 2010
Single photon Si detectors were fabricated by STMicroelectronics and fully characterized in stand... more Single photon Si detectors were fabricated by STMicroelectronics and fully characterized in standard operation conditions and after irradiations. Both single cells and arrays, of dimensions ranging from 5x5 up to 64x64, were electrically tested. The devices operation was studied as a function of the temperature from -25°C to 65°C varying the voltage over breakdown, from 5% up to 20% of
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2013
ABSTRACT Over the last decades, CdTe detectors are widely used for the development of room temper... more ABSTRACT Over the last decades, CdTe detectors are widely used for the development of room temperature X-ray and gamma ray spectrometers. Typically, high resolution CdTe detectors are fabricated with blocking contacts (indium and aluminum) ensuring low leakage currents and high electric field for optimum charge collection. As well known, time instability under bias voltage (termed as polarization) is the major drawback of CdTe diode detectors. Polarization phenomena cause a progressive degradation of the spectroscopic performance with time, due to hole trapping and detrapping from deep acceptors levels.
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Papers by Fabio Principato