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Advanced Space Radiation Detectors

Computer-generated image of a 3x2x1U CubeSat with a cylindrical radiation detector visible on its short face and solar arrays deployed on both sides. The Moon and stars are visible in the background.

NASA is developing low-noise, robust, compact radiation detectors to provide improved data on space radiation.

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Overview

To meet the challenges of low-power, low-noise multidirectional robust radiation detector systems for a wide range of particle mass and energies, new ion detectors based on wide band gap (WBG) semiconductors are being developed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland for integration into small satellite missions as well as propulsion systems.

Compact Full Field Detector System

A fully integrated application concept for various WBG semiconductor detector technologies under development at Glenn is a Compact Full-field Ion Detector System (CFIDS). The CFIDS comprises a central spherical Cherenkov detector surrounded by stacks of linear energy transfer (LET) detectors as well as coincidence and anticoincidence detectors.

Computer-generated image of a detectors arranged in a ball set on wood bench top in a laboratory with covers and a ruler for scale.
Rendering of the Compact Full-field Ion Detector System (CFIDS) concept design
NASA

Linear Energy Transfer Detectors

In an advancement to the state-of-the-art, large area (200 mm²) silicon carbide (SiC) devices demonstrated to be sensitive to alpha particle radiation are being fabricated at NASA GRC. The application of SiC as LET detectors is based on the material’s wide band gap and high displacement energy. A bench check of the capacitance and leakage current of the SiC detectors revealed that they have electrical characteristics comparable to much smaller silicon PIN diode detectors.

Proof-of-concept versions of the LET detectors observed x-ray peaks down to 26 keV with a minimum LET of 28 eV/g/cm² (electronvolts per gram per square centimeter) measured. The detectors will stop ions of 8 MeV/u (mega-electronvolts per atomic mass unit) or less, allowing the detectors to be sensitive to ions of energies from 10 MeV/u to minimally ionizing particles beyond 2000 MeV/u.

Utilized as a charged particle telescope, two SiC LET detectors can be packaged stacked vertically with respect to each other.

Metal cylinder with a flat semiconductor detector visible through an opening in the top with two cables attached to the right, set on a clear plastic box on a wood bench.
A compact large area charged particle telescope using two silicon carbide (SiC) linear energy transfer detectors. The charged particle telescope is 38 mm in diameter by 15 mm tall.
NASA

Solid-State Coincidence and Anticoincidence Detectors

One goal is to replace the role of photomultiplier tubes and silicon photomultipliers in spacecraft-based coincidence and anticoincidence detectors (for trigger and veto functions) with WBG semiconductors, saving on size, weight, and required power.

A miniature “paddle style” radiation detector was demonstrated using a gallium phosphide (GaP) photodiode mated to a polyvinyl toluene (PVT) scintillator block as shown in the following photo. The preliminary results indicate an improvement in size and power with the use of the WBG material enables use with acrylic ribbon scintillators for compact, flexible applications.

Photograph of a plastic scintillator block attached to a small detector set against a black background.
Miniature scintillation-diode ionizing radiation detector prototype as demonstrated in the lab.
NASA

Solid-State Cherenkov Detector

A fast solid-state ultra-violet (UV) light detector based on the WBG semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) has been recently developed at GRC. The proof-of-concept detector is fabricated on bulk single-crystal undoped ZnO. Interdigitated finger electrodes and contact pads are patterned via photolithography were formed by sputtered silver, as shown in the photo below The ZnO-based detector demonstrated greater sensitivity to UV than commercial SiC and GaP tested in parallel.

The 2 mm² device is designed to have a response time of 1 ns with 10 V bias voltage. In a bridge circuit, the detector would detect the small, fast pulses of UV light as required to detect Cherenkov radiation.

Yellow ceramic substrate with two dark metallic interdigitated finger patterns crossing the substrate horizontally with a 20U label on the bottom.
Proof-of-concept ZnO UV detectors with 20 µm spacing. Each detector area is 1 mm by 2 mm.
NASA

Contact

Area of ExpertiseNameEmail
Radiation DetectorsJohn Wrbanekjohn.d.wrbanek@nasa.gov
Radiation MeasurementSusan Wrbaneksusan.y.wrbanek@nasa.gov

Video

Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System for CubeSat Science beyond LEO

Presentation at the 3rd International Workshop on LunarCubes, Palo Alto, CA, November 13-15, 2013.

Projects supported by this research:

Fission Surface Power

The solar system does not provide easy access to electricity as we know it on Earth. Astronauts could take advantage of a reliable power supply to explore both the Moon and Mars. The system will need to be lightweight and capable of running regardless of its location, the weather, or available sunlight and other natural resources.

Learn More about Fission Surface Power
A concept image of the Fission Surface Power Project on the lunar surface. Earth and Mars can be seen in the background. The lunar surface is grey and rocky.
A concept image of NASA’s Fission Surface Power Project.
NASA

Planetary Science

NASA’s planetary science program explores the objects in our solar system to better understand its history and the distribution of life within.

Learn More about Planetary Science
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover took this selfie, made up of 62 individual images, on July 23. A rock nicknamed “Cheyava Falls,” which has features that may bear on the question of whether the Red Planet was long ago home to microscopic life, is to the left of the rover near the center of the image.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Space Nuclear Propulsion

Draws energy from atomic fission reactions instead of traditional chemical reactions, thus providing comparatively unlimited energy and opening the door for robust and enduring access throughout the solar system.

Learn More about Space Nuclear Propulsion
Illustration of a conceptual spacecraft enabled by nuclear thermal propulsion.
Illustration of a conceptual spacecraft enabled by nuclear thermal propulsion.
NASA

NASA Glenn facilities where this research is conducted:

Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory

This vertically integrated silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor research and development facility is dedicated to the design, fabrication, and testing of integrated circuit electronics and sensors uniquely durable to extreme environments. 

Learn More about Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory
The Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory designs, fabricates, packages, and tests uniquely durable extreme environment silicon carbide (SiC) sensors and electronics.
The Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory designs, fabricates, packages, and tests uniquely durable extreme environment silicon carbide (SiC) sensors and electronics.
NASA

Key Publications

Publication TitleAuthor(s)SourceTypeYear
Large Area SiC LET Detectors for Space Science ApplicationsJohn Wrbanek, Susan Wrbanek, José Gonzalez, Beth OsbornNASA TM-20250001636NASA TM2025
Development of a Universal Small-Satellite Payload for On-Orbit Characterization and Evaluation of Novel Radiation-Shielding MaterialsAvery Brock, Malachi Mooney-Rivkin, Luke Idziak, Alejandro Salas, Susan Wrbanek and John WrbanekAIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum, Orlando, Florida, January 6-10, 2025Conference Paper2025
Advanced Radiation Detectors and Detector Systems ResearchJohn D. Wrbanek, Susan Y. WrbanekGlenn Space Technology Symposium, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, July 15-17, 2024Presentation2024
Multi-Aspect Cosmic Ray Ion Detectors for Deep-Space CubeSatsWrbanek, John D. and Wrbanek, Susan Y.Chapter 16 in “The Nanosatellite Revolution: 30 Years and Continuing,” H. Helvajian & S. W. Janson (Eds.)(SPIE, 2023) pp. 505-536Book Chapter2023
Wide Band Gap Radiation Detectors for Deep Space ScienceJohn D. Wrbanek, Susan Y. WrbanekSiC Materials & Devices Workshop 2022, Brook Park, Ohio, August 10-11, 2022Presentation2022
Space Radiation and Impact on Instrumentation Technologies.Wrbanek, John D. and Wrbanek, Susan Y.NASA/TP-2020-220002NASA TM2020
Room Temperature Radiation Testing of a 500 °C Durable 4H-SiC JFET Integrated Circuit Technology.Lauenstein, Jean-Marie, Neudeck, Philip G., Ryder, Kaitlyn L., Wilcox, Edward P., Chen, Liangyu, Carts, Martin A., Wrbanek, Susan Y., Wrbanek, John D.IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference (NSREC), San Antonio, Texas, July 8-12, 2019.Conference Paper2019
Room Temperature Total-Ionizing Dose Testing of Glenn Research Center (GRC) 500 °C Durable 4H-SiC JFET IC TechnologyRyder, Kaitlyn, Lauenstein, Jean-Marie, Wilcox, Ted, Carts, Marty, Neudeck, Philip, Wrbanek, Susan, Buttler, Robert, Chen, Liangyu, Spina, DannyGSFC-E-DAA-TN69538NASA TM2018
Multidirectional Cosmic Ray Ion Detector for Deep Space CubeSats.Wrbanek, John D. and Wrbanek, Susan Y.AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Logan, Utah, August 6-11, 2016. SSC16-IV-2Conference Paper2016
Advanced Space Radiation Detector Technology Development.Wrbanek, John D., Wrbanek, Susan Y., Fralick, Gustave C.2013 Joint Conference/Symposium of the MFPT and ISA (Dayton, OH: MFPT), 457-469.Conference Paper2013
Low-Power Multi-Aspect Space Radiation Detector SystemJohn Wrbanek, Susan Wrbanek, Gustave Fralick, Jon Freeman, Stephen BurkebileInternational Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Measurements, Greenbelt, Maryland, October 10-12, 2012Presentation2012
Micro-fabricated Solid-State Radiation Detectors for Active Personal DosimetryWrbanek, John D., Wrbanek, Susan Y., Fralick, Gustave C. and Chen, Liang-YuNASA TM-2007-214674NASA TM2007
Active Solid State Dosimetry for Lunar EVA.Wrbanek, John D., Fralick, Gustave C., Wrbanek, Susan Y. and Chen, Liang-YuSpace Resources Roundtable VII: LEAG Conference on Lunar Exploration, Houston, Texas, October 25-28, 2005. LPI #1287.Conference Paper2005

Key Patents

Patent TitleInventor(s)YearPatent #
Space radiation detector with spherical geometryJohn D. Wrbanek, Gustave C. Fralick, Susan Y. Wrbanek20117872750
Space radiation detector with spherical geometryJohn D. Wrbanek, Gustave C. Fralick, Susan Y. Wrbanek20128159669
Fast, Large area, Wide Band Gap UV Photodetector for Cherenkov Light DetectionJohn D. Wrbanek, Susan Y. Wrbanek201810054691
Low power charged particle counterSusan Y. Wrbanek, John D. Wrbanek, Gustave C. Fralick201910429521

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Chemical Sensors

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Close-up of ceramic matrix composite panel being tested with intense flames. The panel glows as it is exposed to the high temperature, with visible wiring at the bottom held in place with white cement. The material’s texture is visible, showcasing its heat-resistant properties.

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Silicon Carbide Electronics and Sensors

NASA is developing silicon carbide technology to enable smart electronics in extreme conditions, boosting performance in aerospace, power, auto, and energy sectors.

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