Development of a Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based X-Ray Detector for Space Applications

Abstract

In this work, a light weight, reduced Graphene Oxide Field Effect Transistor based radiation detector is developed which detects X-rays at room temperature. Graphene Oxide is synthesized from Graphite flakes using modified Hummer's method which is then reduced by Hydroiodic acid fumes followed by low temperature treatment. Material characterization using X-ray diffraction technique and Raman spectra confirmed the reduction of Graphene oxide to reduced graphene oxide. Synthesized reduced graphene oxide is then put in back gate Field Effect Transistor architecture. The electrodes of the Field Effect transistor are made using thin film deposition technique. The detector is housed inside a simple packaging setup. The device showed promising response with Xrays of energy 20-40 KeV at room temperature at various incoming flus of X-ray photons. Response curve of device showed linear response with increasing X-ray energy and current. The device demonstrated a rise time of 0.25 s and fall time of 0.15s