Diamond Detectors

Progress in experimental particle physics in the coming decade depends crucially upon the ability to carry out experiments at high energies and high luminosities. These two conditions imply that future experiments will take place in very high radiation areas. In order to perform these complex and perhaps expensive experiments new radiation hard technologies will have to be developed. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond detectors are being developed as a radiation tolerant alternative for use very close to the interaction region where detectors may have to operate in extreme radiation conditions. During the past few years many CVD diamond devices have been manufactured and tested. As a detector for high radiation environments CVD diamond benefits substantially from its radiation hardness, very low leakage current, low dielectric constant, fast signal collection and ability to operate at room temperature. We will present the present state-of-the-art of polycrystalline CVD diamond and the latest results obtained from detectors constructed with this material. Recently a new type of diamond has been developed: single crystal CVD diamond which resolves many of the issues associated with polycrystalline material. We will also present recent results obtained from devices constructed from this new diamond material. Finally, we will discuss the use of diamond detectors in future applications and their survivability in the highest radiation environments.