Mid Sweden University

Currently, a single ion hit facility, for irradiation of single cells with single, light MeV ions is under development at the Lund Nuclear Microprobe. In this paper, a novel approach to the ion detection issue is presented. A silicon detector, a type utilized at other facilities for post-cell ion detection, has been investigated as a possible option for pre-cell hit detection. If proven successful, this detector could possibly also be used simultaneously as vacuum window.

The first experiments carried out on the 9 mu m thick silicon detector, with an area of 4 mm(2), have been aimed at investigations of signal-to-noise ratio and efficiency. The results thus far reveal a low noise level and a noise distribution, which is well separated from the signal peak. However, the efficiency remains a problem, since at present it is far from the required 100%.