Enhancing radiation-hardness of Si-based diodes: An investigation of Al-doping effects in Si using I–V measurements.

The impact of radiation on Si-based detectors garnered interest due to the observed degradation in their stability in high-radiation environments. In this study, we examined the effects of 3 MeV proton irradiation on both undoped and Al-doped n -Si diodes using I–V technique. The results revealed a decline in current trends for both types of diodes post-irradiation. This decrease was attributed to defects created by proton irradiation, which acted as recombination or trapping centres. However, the Al-doped n -Si diodes experienced a lesser decline in measured current, hinting at the radiation suppression effect of Al doping in Si. Additionally, Al-doped n -Si diodes displayed minimal changes in their diode parameters after irradiation, and their conduction mechanism remained unchanged. These results suggested that Al-doped n -Si diodes had superior stability compared to their undoped counterparts, implying that the presence of Al enhanced the diodes' resistance to radiation. The radiation suppression effect of Al seemed to stem from its ability to produce defects that improve Si's radiation-hardness, thereby mitigating the introduction of additional instability-causing defects during proton irradiation. Thus, incorporating Al was recommended for research aiming to improve the radiation resistance of Si. • Study explores 3 MeV proton impact on undoped and Al-doped n -Si diodes using I–V techniques. • Al-doped n -Si diodes show radiation suppression, with less current decline and minimal parameter changes after irradiation. • Al-doped n -Si diodes enhance Si-based detector radiation resistance by introducing stable defects through Al doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]