The photoemissive cell of a vacuum ultraviolet radiation detector array

Abstract

A photoemissive “solar-blind” cell of a vacuum ultraviolet detector array for the 50–225 nm wavelength range is described. The cell is a cavity in the shape of frustum of a pyramid in a silicon wafer, the walls of which are coated by polycrystalline diamond film acting the part of a photosensitive cathode. The design of the cell allows one to manage the work of the detector in the “pass through” mode; i.e., photons fall to one side of the wafer, and photoelectrons release from its opposite side. Estimation of photosensitivity of the cell gives a value of about ten photons.