Electrical and material effects of molten salt and temperature on diamond.

An electronic grade single crystal diamond detector was tested for its chemical and electronic stability after a five day exposure to a 450 °C KCl-LiCl molten salt eutectic. After exposure to the salt, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry confirmed that lithium diffused into the diamond. However, no degradation of the hole and electron transport properties were observed. Finally, the spectroscopic performance of a diamond detector was investigated as a function of temperature, and it was found that the spectrum started severely degrading at a temperature of 190 °C, consistent with other reports. [Display omitted] • Exposure of diamond to a molten salt does not degrade electronic performance. • Lithium diffusion into diamond from a molten salt slow and not electrically active • Operation of a diamond radiation detector at high temperature degrades performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]